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Wednesday, 25 November 2009 |
Local Referees Lead the Way in Hyundai A-League
MANLY-Warringah Football Referees Association (MWFRA) boss James Raphael has hailed the elevation of popular duo Ryan Shepherd and Matt Gillett to the ranks of the Hyundai A-League this season.
The pair, who have been heavily involved at MWFRA level over many years have controlled three matches between them this season with Shepherd’s double involving former Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler.
Shepherd officiated the Central Coast-North Queensland Fury and Newcastle-Fury matches in recent weeks while Gillett was in charge of the recent Wellington-Perth clash. Both have handled the step up from the NSW Premier League to the country’s top professional league with ease.
Gillett has recently moved from Manly-Warringah to Queensland to pursue professional opportunities but Raphael said he was “still one of ours”. “The MWFRA is very proud to have two members on the Hyundai A-League panel and both either have been or are still very active members of our committee,” Raphael said.
“Matt has now moved to Queensland but is still in touch with us and we regard him as one of our own while Ryan was last week voted in as vice-president of the MWFRA.”
Raphael said Shepherd’s promotion to the middle of A-League games was particularly poignant given he was taken off the NSWPL panel last season. “It just goes to show that if you are good enough you will get the chance,” he said.
Shepherd also holds a FIFA badge for Futsal and coaches local referees in his role as Branch Coach for the MWFRA. “The one thing that surprises me is that they both treat every game the same,” Raphael added.
“They treat the players the same wether they are on the local leagues or on a high profile game on TV which is probably why they have progressed as far as they have.
“Hopefully it will attract more youngsters to the refereeing ranks and show that they too can get to the top with hard work.” Everyone associated with the MWFRA, the Manly Warringah Football Association (MWFA) and Manly United FC (MUFC) congratulates the pair on their achievements and wishes them luck for the remainder of the season.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 25 November 2009 )
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