NSFRA - Northern Suburbs Football Referees Association

09/09/2026

📣Congratulations to NSFRA Referee Rowan Fisher on his selection as 4th Official for the NPL Men’s Grand Final this weekend. This caps off an outstanding 2026 season for Rowan and we can’t wait to see where he goes next ⭐️⚽️

The spotlight will shine on the players at St George Venues Jubilee Stadium this Sunday, but behind every great Grand Final is a team of officials

03/09/2026

🏆 2026 NSFA CUP FINALS 🏆

Congratulations to all the NSFRA referees selected to officiate the 2026 NSFA Cup Finals this weekend! 👏⚽️

Their selection is recognition of hard work, commitment and performances throughout the 2026 season. We’re incredibly proud to see these referees rewarded with the opportunity to take charge of these important fixtures.

Come down and see them in action this weekend⚽

SATURDAY (5 Sept.)
📌 Venue: NTRA
✅ Treasurer's Shield - 9am
✅ Vice President's Shield - 10:45am
✅ Damian Miles Cup - 1pm

SUNDAY (6 September)
📌 Venue: Charles Bean
✅ President's Shield - 9am
✅ Rick Close Cup - 11:30am
✅ NSFA Women's Cup - 2pm

Good luck to all our officials — enjoy the occasion and represent NSFRA with pride! 💪

02/09/2026

⚽️ NSFRA Representing at FNSW 🟢⚫️🟣

Congratulations to all our NSFRA Referees on an outstanding 2026 season with Football NSW ‼️

You have all represented the association proudly and continue to showcase your talents as Referees ⭐️

Swipe through to see some of the highlights of our Referees this year ➡️

Rowan Fisher has been one of the top Referees for FNSW in 2026 with consistent NPL 1 Men’s First Grade Centre Referee appointments.

Rowan has also had the following highlights this year:
🟢 Centre Referee in the all NSFRA on-field team for the 2026 FNSW Waratah Cup Final
🟣 Centre Referee in the Australia Cup Round of 32 clash between Sydney Olympic and Brisbane Roar (pictured above)
🟣 Centre Referee in the Australia Cup Quarter Final clash between SD Raiders and Sydney FC

📣 Rowan has also been selected to Centre Referee the NPL 1 Men’s First Grade Semi-Final this weekend. Good luck Rowan‼️

⭐️ Kai Jopson (pictured above) made his NPL Men’s League 1 Centre Referee Debut this season. He officiated the Round 25 match between Inter Lions and Prospect United which ended in a 1-1 draw.

📣 Kai has been selected to officiate the NPL 1 Men’s U20 Preliminary Final as Assistant Referee. Good luck Kai‼️

📸 Photo Credit: Mayhem Pix

🟣 Jack Nelson made his NPL 1 Men’s First Grade Centre Referee Debut this season, officiating the Round 23 match between Sydney Olympic and Wollongong Wolves.

📣 Jack has been selected to officiate the NPL 1 Men’s U20 Preliminary Final as Centre Referee. Good luck Jack ‼️

⭐️ 2026 has been an outstanding year for Sebastian Ruskin with strong performances resulting in numerous prestigious appointments.

🟣 Assistant Referee: Australia Cup Round of 32 between Sydney United 58 and Central Coast Mariners

🟣 Assistant Referee: Australia Cup Round of 16 between APIA Leichhardt and Sydney United 58

🟣 Assistant Referee: Australia Cup Quarter Finals between APIA Leichhardt and Melbourne Victory

Within the NSFRA, Seb has also made his Men’s Premier League Reserves and Women’s Premier League Centre Referee debuts this year ✅

📣 Seb has been selected to officiate the NPL 1 Men’s First Grade Semi-Final as Assistant Referee.

28/08/2026

📣 A huge thank you to all of the fantastic referees who have taken up the whistle throughout the 2026 season!

Being in the middle and managing a game takes skill, focus and commitment, and we truly appreciate the time and effort our referees have put in throughout the season.

If you wish to referee at Summer Football, please make sure you have watched the Technical Update Video and completed the Registration form sent out in the weekly emails. ✅

Thank you to all our referees for everything you do for football in the NSFA! ⚽

21/08/2026

📣 Tip of the Week - Penalty Shootouts ⚽

A final is still level after golden-goal extra time? It's time for penalties‼️

Here are a few key reminders:
✅ Only players who were on the field at the end of extra time can take a kick.
✅ Keep players on the field and allow for 5 minutes for the teams to prepare.
✅ Goalkeepers remain in the penalty area, while the other players wait in the centre.
✅ Referee | Take your usual penalty-kick position
✅ Assistant Referee 1 | Position yourself at the goal area/backline intersection.
✅ Assistant Referee 2 | Stay with the teams in the centre circle and record each kicker's number as they come forward.
✅ Once the winner is decided, blow the final whistle!

Good luck to all the Referees officiating on Semi-Finals and Grand Finals this weekend!

13/08/2026

📣 Tip of the Week 📣

Temporary dismissals (sin bins) are an important tool for managing dissent.

Remember:
🟨 A sin bin is used for cautionable offences relating dissent by word or action.
⚽ Sin bins apply in all NSFA Competitions
🚫 A substitute cannot be issued a sin bin, nor can a player be removed from the field for dissent from a substitute/coach
⏱️ The player must leave the field for the required period and cannot be replaced during their temporary dismissal.
👀 Keep track of the sin-bin time and ensure the player only returns at the referee’s discretion.

31/07/2026

📣Tip of the Week - Goalkeepers being prevented from releasing the ball🤲

If a goalkeeper is prevented from releasing the ball, first blow the whistle to stop play and award an indirect free kick to the goalkeeper's team. 📢

While this is a violation of the Laws of the Game, it does not require a yellow card. 🟨

A yellow card may be required if the action is persistent or shows a lack of respect for the game. In rare circumstances, the action may be stopping a promising attack, which would require a yellow card. 🟨

Keep the game flowing and maintain control, using a caution only if necessary to prevent further misconduct. ⚽

24/07/2026

📣 Tip of the Week – Always do an equipment check! 🔍

Don't forget to do an equipment check at the start of each match. 🧐

Players are prohibited from wearing dangerous equipment, including jewellery like necklaces, rings, and bracelets. 💍

Referees play a critical role in enforcing these rules to prevent injuries on the field. Conduct thorough equipment checks and address any violations promptly. Let's prioritise safety for all players! ⚽️

20/07/2026

👏 FNSW State Cup Final Congratulations to Our NSFRA Referees! 👏

A huge congratulations to our NSFRA referees Chloe Rienits, Isabelle Reedman and Amelia Smink who officiated the Football NSW State Cup Girls 15s Final. It was an entertaining match with Kirrawee Kangaroos FC running out 7-2 winners over Harbord FC.

Alongside Babak Mohajerin (Fourth Official), the referees all represented the NSFRA with professionalism and excellence on one of the biggest stages in Football NSW grassroots football. We are incredibly proud of your efforts and the standard you continue to set.

Congratulations on a well-deserved appointment and an outstanding performance! ⚽🏆

18/07/2026

📣 Tip of the Week - Indirect Free Kicks 📣

There is often confusion about when a free kick is direct or indirect. ⚽

Indirect free kicks are awarded against goalkeepers for:
🟥Touching the ball with their hands after releasing it and before another player has touched it
🟥 Handling a deliberate pass from a teammate
🟥 Handling a throw-in received directly from a teammate

They are also awarded for:
🟨 Offside
🟨 Dangerous play
🟨 Impeding the progress of an opponent without contact.
🟨 Preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball
🟨 Dissent