Touch Football Australia (TFA) has today announced the appointment of Referee Coaches for the inaugural Alliance Referee Squad (ARS) program, who will play a central role in the ongoing delivery of the program to strengthen referee development across Alliance states.
Announced in November last year, the ARS aims to enhance development opportunities and establish clear pathways for referees nationwide by identifying, developing, and supporting officials of all ages. The program will assist referee progression within the national framework, provide structured mentoring and education, and ensure equitable opportunity through exposure to national-level competition and assessment.
In addition to supporting Alliance referee development, the ARS also presents a further pathway opportunity for Referee Coaches. The ARS provides coaches with increased exposure to national High-Performance (HP) environments, while being guided by TFA HP coaching staff, enabling them to further develop their skills at a higher level. This initiative is aimed at strengthening coaching pathways and ensuring a larger representation of Alliance Referee Coaches on the TFA HP Referee Coaching Panel into the future.
Following an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, six candidates have been selected to lead the program across the country. Each Alliance state or territory has been appointed at least one Referee Coach. Applicants were assessed by an interview panel comprising National Referee Program Manager Luke Saldern, National Referee Squad Head Coach Ian Matthew, and Upgrade and Development Head Coach Ken Golden.
The interview process evaluated candidates’ experience in referee education and training delivery, their ability to manage challenging and transparent conversations, and their capacity to apply practical referee development strategies at a national level. This assessment was conducted through scenario-based questions designed to reflect the key competencies required for the role.
Congratulations to the following appointments:
- Jason Horton (Victoria) – Lead
- James Anderson (Tasmania)
- Benjamin Dempsey (Western Australia)
- Peter Gunning (Australian Capital Territory)
- Sam Hacon (Northern Territory)
- Amanda Sheeky (South Australia)
These coaches will be responsible for facilitating learning opportunities for Alliance referees, providing mentoring support, and assisting with assessment and individual development, all under the supervision of TFA’s HP coaching staff. TFA is excited to work with the Referee Coaches throughout the ARS program as they guide Alliance referees moving forward.
