The future career of a young Northern NSW referee has received a major boost following his appointment to officiate at the Asian Football Confederation Under 14 Festival of Football in Sabah-Malaysia.
Originally from Bathurst and now living in Newcastle, Tim McGilchrist will join one other young referee from NSW to represent Australia at the tournament that will be played from 25th May to 7th June.
In recognition of his achievements to date, Northern NSW Football nominated McGilchrist for consideration for the tournament and his confirmation was received from the FFA this week.
‘It’s a great achievement for a young official from Northern NSW to be given this opportunity ahead of other officials from around Australia,’ Northern NSW Football Operations Manager Alan Nisbet said. ‘Something we hope will continue following the formation of a dedicated referee’s academy in Northern NSW.’
For McGilchrist, it is the first step in his international career which he hopes will ultimately see him reach his goal of officiating at a FIFA World Cup.
‘I was surprised at the appointment but really excited to be able to represent Northern NSW as one of only two Australian officials at the tournament,’ McGilchrist said. ‘I’d like to think this is the first step in my career at international level but for the short term, I’ll focus on objectives such as officiating at National Youth League and A-League but ultimately a FIFA World Cup is every officials dream.’
McGilchrist already has National duties under his belt, having officiated at the 2007 FFA Boys National Youth Championships at Coffs Harbour last October where he officiated over the Under 15’s Grand Final.
The appointment to the AFC Tournament is a fitting reward for a young official who by his own admission is ‘driven’ in his commitment to the role, having commuted regularly from Bathurst to Newcastle in order to officiate at NBN State League matches before moving to Newcastle in April last year.
In recognition of his achievements to date, Northern NSW Football nominated McGilchrist for consideration for the tournament and his confirmation was received from the FFA this week.
‘It’s a great achievement for a young official from Northern NSW to be given this opportunity ahead of other officials from around Australia,’ Northern NSW Football Operations Manager Alan Nisbet said. ‘Something we hope will continue following the formation of a dedicated referee’s academy in Northern NSW.’
For McGilchrist, it is the first step in his international career which he hopes will ultimately see him reach his goal of officiating at a FIFA World Cup.
‘I was surprised at the appointment but really excited to be able to represent Northern NSW as one of only two Australian officials at the tournament,’ McGilchrist said. ‘I’d like to think this is the first step in my career at international level but for the short term, I’ll focus on objectives such as officiating at National Youth League and A-League but ultimately a FIFA World Cup is every officials dream.’
McGilchrist already has National duties under his belt, having officiated at the 2007 FFA Boys National Youth Championships at Coffs Harbour last October where he officiated over the Under 15’s Grand Final.
The appointment to the AFC Tournament is a fitting reward for a young official who by his own admission is ‘driven’ in his commitment to the role, having commuted regularly from Bathurst to Newcastle in order to officiate at NBN State League matches before moving to Newcastle in April last year.
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