Football Far North Coast prioritising recruiting and retaining referees

Football Far North Coast will use the NSW Football Legacy Fund grant to assist in developing programs targeted at recruiting, retaining, and developing referees.

Football Far North Coast had nearly 2,000 female participants in 2022, and this year are seeking to increase the number of female players as interest in the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup continues to dominate the world of sport. 

The zone will utilise the $8,500 fund to run referee courses and development camps in 2023 at no cost to participants and keep referees in the sport (of which there remain 112 in the region) by helping grow the football community within the Football Far North Coast region.

“We’re looking forward to developing programs targeted at recruiting, retaining, and developing referees,” says Luke Mackney, Match Officials Co-Ordinator, Football Far North Coast. 

“Our project will also seek to offer existing referees the opportunities to attend training courses and development camps at no cost.

“We’re hoping that this will in turn encourage and inspire more females to become a referee,.” he added. 

About the Legacy Fund Participation and Infrastructure Grants 

The NSW government recently announced a $3.1 million investment into more than 100 grassroots football projects across the state to help improve facilities and run programs to boost player participation as part of the NSW Football Legacy Fund. 

The investment is intended to broaden female player options and increase participation opportunities while enhancing football facilities and supporting infrastructure. This fund also aims to assist clubs in developing football programs at all levels through the construction or upgrading of community facilities, leadership and development initiatives. 

As Australia prepares to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, strengthening the football community in NSW is key to matching the unprecedented level of interest in female football. The NSW Football Legacy Fund seeks to ensure it has the facilities and programming to match the buzz that the FIFA World Cup is generating for Australia’s next generation of future Matildas. 

More information about the NSW Football Legacy Fund is available here

Register your club's interest in round two of the NSW Football Legacy Fund here.