Touch Football Australia (TFA) recently hosted the country’s leading match officials in Mudgee for the Referee High-Performance (HP) Camp, a cornerstone initiative of the sport’s national referee development framework.
The HP Camp represents the peak of the officiating pathway, bringing Australia’s top referees together into a united environment to strengthen capability, consistency, and alignment across the national referee program while supporting ongoing development.
A total of twenty-eight referees attended, including members of the National Referee Squad (NRS) and National Referee Youth Squad, with selection into the camp recognised as a key aspiration for officials nationwide. Led by National Referee Program Manager Luke Saldern, the camp marked a milestone with Youth Squad members invited into the inner sanctum of the NRS for the first time, reflecting TFA’s commitment to developing referees at every stage of the pathway.
The squads undertook an intensive program of physical training and conditioning, as well as technical and skill-based development workshops. The camp provided referees with the opportunity to align on national standards and expectations, reinforcing the ongoing improvement of officiating across the country.
The physical demands of the camp further reinforced these expectations, with referees assessed through a Bronco fitness test conducted in extreme heat conditions, followed by a 4:30am start the next day, testing both mental resilience and the application of cultural values.
Referees also participated in an HP leadership session delivered by Darren Shand, long-term performance manager of the New Zealand All Blacks. Drawing on experience from one of the world’s most successful HP environments, the session focused on translating values into consistent behaviours and actions.
The Referee HP Camp remains a key pillar of TFA’s referee development framework, reinforcing national alignment, strengthening connections, and supporting the ongoing advancement of officiating standards across the sport.
