Touch Football Australia (TFA) has today announced the appointment of Rick Borg and Stephen Pike as National Independent Selectors for the Australian Opens Officiating Program.
These appointments mark a significant step in TFA's ongoing commitment to transparent, merit-based, and high-performance officiating pathways. They follow a rigorous two-stage process, comprising a formal expression of interest application and subsequent interviews, representing an important milestone in the continued development of TFA’s National Officiating Framework.
The appointment panel consisted of TFA National Referee Program Manager Luke Saldern, High Performance and Pathways Manager Angela Trenerry, and General Manager People, Culture, and Safety Ajay Smith.
Both Rick and Stephen bring an extraordinary depth of experience as National Independent Selectors, having both officiated at the highest levels of the game across multiple decades. Their deep understanding of the technical demands, standards, and qualities required to perform and adjudicate at the elite international level positions them exceptionally well to contribute to a consistent, objective, and high-performing selection environment.
Rick Borg is one of the most decorated officials in the history of Australian Touch Football. He held the distinction of being ranked the number one referee in the world for twelve consecutive years and served as flag bearer for Australia at the 1999 and 2003 World Cups. He amassed forty-six World Cup appearances across four events and earned 21 Test Caps during his international career.
Rick’s contribution to the sport is further reflected in the honours that bear his name, including the Rick Borg Medal at the national level, the Rick Borg Award at the state level, and the Rick Borg Trophy at the local level. He is a Life Member of both Ipswich Touch and Ipswich Referees, an inductee of both the TFA and Queensland Touch Football Halls of Fame, and a recipient of the Australian Sports Medal in 2000.
Stephen Pike began his officiating journey in 1988 and progressed rapidly through the ranks, becoming an NSW State referee in 1991, a National referee in 1992, and an International referee in 1993. Across a career spanning more than three decades, Stephen has officiated sixty-six international matches across four World Cups, including the 2024 tournament, where he was ranked the world number two Masters referee. He was also ranked the world number two Opens referee in 2003, reflecting the sustained excellence he brought to the international stage.
Stephen was inducted into both the TFA and NSW Touch Football Halls of Fame in 2007, and in 2024 was awarded the Federation of International Touch’s Gold Badge, one of the sport’s highest officiating honours. Beyond his playing and officiating career, Stephen also made a significant international contribution through his work in South Africa, where he was appointed National Director of Referees following his involvement in assisting their national teams with World Cup preparation in 2003. He remains actively involved in his local competition in Wagga Wagga, where he is a Life Member of the Wagga Wagga Touch Association and an inductee of the Wagga Wagga Sporting Hall of Fame.
The introduction of National Independent Selectors reflects TFA’s continued commitment to best-practice governance and high-performance principles, ensuring officiating selection decisions are informed, objective, and aligned with the long-term success of Australia’s national referee pathway.
TFA congratulates Rick and Stephen on their appointments and looks forward to their contributions to the Australian Opens Officiating Program.
