North Coast Football (NCF) has put out a call for more referees to cater for the increasing popularity of football on the Coffs and Clarence coasts.
Already the biggest team sport on the North Coast, football’s popularity is expected to grow significantly with interest generated by the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and NZ and the opening of the synthetic pitches in Coffs Harbour for six-a-side football.
In a record year for player numbers in 2021, over 5,000 players turned out in approximately 160 matches each weekend, 90 of which required a referee and sideline officials. The North Coast has around 70 active referees who officiate in multiple matches each week.
NCF is planning to commence mid-week six-a-side competitions at the new $12 million synthetic fields at Coffs Sport and Leisure Park in April. Matches will occur several nights a week, and most will require referees.
Referees can earn anywhere between $25 and $113 a match, and this is tax-free as the government classifies it as a hobby.
To become a referee, a person must be 13 years of age, undertake brief coursework and buy their official kit and other resources. More details are at: https://ncf.link/refereeingcourses

Courses for referees occur in Coffs and Grafton in early February:
• Coffs – Saturday 19 February 2022
• Grafton – Sunday 20 February 2022

Refereeing is a great way to get into the game or keep involved after finishing as a player. A referee is in the centre of the action and critical to the success of matches and the game of football as a whole.
We’ll provide referees with ongoing training and mentoring to ensure they have the support they need to have fun and be successful. It’s also a great way to make some extra cash as we’ll be offering football all year round on more than just weekends.
Good referees are critical to the success of football, and we have lots of great opportunities for both young and older match officials in the years ahead.