NSFRA - Northern Suburbs Football Referees Association

📣 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! ⚽

📣 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!

📣 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.

📣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. ⚽

📣 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! ⚽️

👏 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! ⚽🏆

📣 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

📢 NSFRA Referees at the FNSW Association Championships 🎉

👏 Congratulations to Ewan Ruskin and Anna Lucas who were selected to represent the NSFRA at the 2026 Deploy Association Championships

The inaugural Association Championships was held in Mudgee on 7-9 July, bringing together teams from 16 FNSW Member Associations. The Referees received matchday coaching and technical sessions from experienced FNSW match officials including NSFRA Referees Jack Nelson, Daniel Cornofsky and Isaac Riggs.

Both NSFRA Referees excelled at the tournament with Ewan selected as Centre Referee for the U14 Boys Semi-Final and Anna selected as Centre Referee for the U14 Girls Semi-Final. ⚽

Well done to all the NSFRA Members involved in this successful event!!🎉

Photo Credit:

🎉 NSFRA Referees on the FNSW Waratah Cup Final 🎉

A huge congratulations to the three NSFRA officials who were appointed by Football NSW to officiate the Waratah Cup Final between APIA Leichhardt and Sydney United 58 on Wednesday, 1st July, at Valentine Sports Park
⚽️ Centre Referee – Rowan Fisher
⚽️ Assistant Referee – Isaac Riggs
⚽ Assistant Referee – Daniel Cornofsky

Being selected to officiate in a cup final is well-deserved recognition of their commitment and performances.

We are incredibly proud to see our referees representing the NSFRA on one of the biggest stages in Football NSW. 🎉

📢 Come down and see Rowan in action at the Hornsby Heights vs Berowra Men’s Premier League derby on Saturday, 18th July, from 7pm at Montview Oval.

Congratulations Rowan, Isaac and Daniel and keep up the great work! 👏

🎉 REFEREE ACHIEVEMENT 🎉

Celebrating a major milestone!

In May of this year NSFRA Referee Rory McFarlane made his NPL Men's First Grade centre referee debut! 🚀

The Sydney FC vs Sydney Olympic match was a thrilling 2-0 win for Sydney FC ⚽

This achievement is a testament to Rory's tireless dedication and exceptional refereeing performances.

Here's to many more successes!

💪 Keep shining, Rory! 👏