The ESFA Referees Branch had its inaugural season in 2009 as an independent sub-committee of ESFA and has now grown to over 250 members. Match coverage for centre referee has been an average of 97% during the 2025 season.
Our primary role is to recruit, train, appoint, and support referees for all competitions run by the ESFA. We strive to provide fair and professional officiating for every match, whether it is junior, senior, or women’s football.
As an affiliated member of Football NSW, our referees are also appointed to state-run competitions, representing the ESFA Referees Branch in broader NSW. In addition, we work closely with Football NSW, to create pathways for aspirational referees to progress to higher levels of the game.
The Referee’s Branch is guided by a volunteer working group known as the Referees Committee that provides leadership, direction, and support across all areas of referee development. The Referees Committee includes the Referees Chair, Branch Coach, and five general committee members. Whether it’s a referee’s first match or their hundredth, the Referees Committee aims to provide the tools, guidance, and opportunities needed to grow and succeed.
If you have any questions or would like more information in joining the ESFA Referees Branch, please contact us at referees@esfa.com.au
If you wish to contact members of our Referees Branch Committee, please do so on the following emails:
Referees Chair, Denys Antonov: refereechair@esfa.com.au
Branch Coach, Robert Sypher: refereebc@esfa.com.au
Referees Committee: refereecommittee@esfa.com.au