The Nepean Referees Group (NRG) is basking in the glory of its talented officials who have garnered well-deserved recognition for their exceptional performances on the field. These three referees, Alexis Johnson, Jess Pabian and Molly Godsell, have recently been acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to the world of officiating. From local, regional and national recognition, their achievements serve as a testament to their dedication, skill, and leadership.
Alexis Johnson – Football Australia Referee Academy
The sport’s governing body, Football Australia, has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative called the Football Australia Referee Academy (FARA). This innovative program aims to revolutionize the Match Official pathway and nurture the growth of top-tier officials in Australian football. By establishing FARA, Football Australia showcases its dedication to elevating the standards of officiating and bolstering the overall achievements of Australian football. This progressive move signifies a significant commitment towards excellence in refereeing within the sport.
Alexis has been selected apart of the FARA’s inaugural intake, class of 2023 as an Assistant referee.
Jess Pabian – Proctor Park Challenge Debut
The Proctor Park Challenge in Bathurst provided a platform for nearly 50 talented young referees from NSW to officiate their inaugural games. These referees were recipients of the New Referee Recipient scholarship, awarded as part of the Women in Football Scholarship Program within the Football Legacy Program. Among the deserving recipients was Jess Pabian, an aspiring referee from the NRG, who represented Football NSW at Bathurst. Jess had recently completed her practical training at Valentine Sports Park and had the opportunity to showcase her skills by refereeing her first few football matches at the event.
Molly Godsell – Young Official of the Year Finalist
Molly Godsell is a young referee who started her career with the Nepean Referees Group and is now a member of the NSW State League Football Referees. In 2022, she was selected for the FNSW Referee Academy and was nominated to attend the Girls National Youth Championships 2023 in Coffs Harbour. Molly excelled at the tournament and was named Referee of the Tournament in the U14 age group by Football Australia.
In 2023, Molly achieved significant milestones in her refereeing career. She made her debut as a referee in the NSW NPL Women’s first grade and received a Legacy Referee Coach scholarship. This scholarship allowed her to become qualified to coach junior referees. Molly attended the Proctor Park Challenge 2023, where she coached and mentored junior referees throughout the tournament, providing valuable support to new match officials.
Molly’s leadership skills off the field are just as impressive as her performance on the field. She has demonstrated her leadership abilities at events like the Proctor Park Challenge.
As the spotlight shines brightly on these remarkable individuals, their success not only brings pride to the NRG but also serves as an inspiration to aspiring referees across the Nepean Football Association. Congratulations girls!
