While he prefers to stay out of the spotlight, Mike Kenderes (pictured above, on the right) is an integral part of the Touch Football community in the ACT.
Like many across the Canberra community, Mike’s introduction to the sport kicked off during his college days at Hawker College.
“A few of my mates asked me to jump into their social team just for a bit of fun. I gave it a go and really enjoyed it, and it’s kind of just grown from there ever since,” Mike recalled.
Mike has Refereed for years, and a standout moment was earning his Level 5 Referee upgrade. Nowadays, Mike has found a rewarding new focus by paying it forward. For the past three years, Mike has stepped up as the Chair of the State Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), guiding referee policy and development across the region.
“I’ve also really enjoyed working with junior Referees and helping them develop in the ACT,” Mike said.
Mike has spent the last four years coordinating Referees for domestic competitions and representative events. On any given weeknight, he can be found at local domestic competitions doing it all; organising the roster, grabbing the whistle to referee matches himself, and acting as a Referee Coach to mentor up-and-coming officials.
Looking ahead, Mike is focused on the bigger picture for the capital. He is proud to play a part in growing the game but believes the key to the future lies in sustainable investment.
“I’d love to see us keep investing in juniors and building strong pathways for them. Making sure the sport is sustainable long-term is also important if we want it to keep growing here in the ACT.”
True to the volunteer spirit, Mike is quick to share the credit with the wider touch community, offering a huge thank you to the network that keeps the wheels turning.
“I’d just like to give a shoutout to everyone who’s supported and continues to support ACT Touch over the years; you’ve all played a big part in keeping it going.”
Touch Football Australia extends a massive thank you to Mike for his outstanding dedication to Refereeing excellence in the ACT.
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