Samantha Newell has been named as Northern NSW Football's female referee of the year as part of Female Football Week.
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Having been a referee for six years, starting when she was 12 years old, Newell is one of the top up-and-coming referees in the region.
She has showcased her talents at the FFA National Youth Championships, Kanga Cup and in the NNSWF Talent Officials Program.
Coming through the ranks of Newcastle Football Referees to the State League Referees, Newell said she initially joined the referee ranks to help her playing skills.
But she said the moved has helped her in many other areas of her game and life.
"I chose to become a referee when I was playing for an inter-district team and was wanting to develop my knowledge of the game and to build my confidence," she said.
"I have a real passion for football and refereeing has allowed me to get involved in my local community whilst also gaining new friends within my branch.
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"Being a referee has helped me gain greater confidence, become a stronger person and has taught me to step out of my comfort zone."
NNSWF match official development and administration officer Brad Carlin said Newell's efforts and contribution to the game was to be commended, and he was pleased to see her win the award.
"It's always exciting to see a young match official of talent and commitment, who works hard that advances along the pathway to elite officiating," Carlin said.
"As someone who has given wonderful service to community and premier football for a number of years, and whose consistently fine officiating has resulted in her selection to referee at the upcoming FFA National Championships, Samantha is most deserving of her recognition during Female Football Week.
"She is destined to go far as a match official."
As one of the most integral parts of football, more referees are always needed throughout the region.
Newell encouraged others, particularly women, to consider becoming referees.
"It's really important we gain more referees each year," she said.
"Northern NSW would definitely benefit from more female referee participation due to the growing number of female teams and the growing opportunity for football to be a career pathway, but there is still is a need for resources and female development.
"To achieve this, it is important for us to gain more female participation across the game and refereeing."
Female Football Week, sponsored by rebel, is a national initiative that celebrates the immense growth of the women's game and acknowledges existing players, coaches, referees and administrators in football who have contributed to this growth.
The week began June 21 and will end June 30.
Across the week, NNSWF member zones and clubs have staged a variety of festivities to mark the occasion.
NNSWF is hosting a networking event at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility from 7pm on Friday, June 28 featuring:
- Renee Valentine, sports reporter at the Newcastle Herald who will address Women's sport in the media;
- Deb Hescott, services coordinator TAFE NSW who will discuss how to be an active community member, and
- Laura Boyle, membership officer volunteering Surf Life Saving NSW who will speak of for the importance of mental health awareness in sporting organisations.
Whilst the evening is skewed towards football club administrators, committees, coaches, players and supporters of football, Northern NSW Football invites the wider community and sporting organisations to attend and meet like-minded community members.