Australian refereeing saw significant changes in the 2024 lists, as several long-standing and highly respected Match Officials from the FIFA international list retired, marking the end of an era for Australian football. CEO James Johnson and Head of Referees Nathan Magill expressed their gratitude and recognition for the valuable contributions these match officials made to Australian football.
Kate Jacewicz, an iconic figure in Australian refereeing, will retire from the international list at the end of 2023. Jacewicz’s career highlights include being named AFF Referee of the Year in 2019, refereeing the Final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016™, and playing a crucial role in the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ tournaments in France 2019 and Australia & New Zealand 2023. Kate will continue her work in the A-League Men’s Video Assistant Referee Panel and A-League Women’s Referee panel, and she will also remain a FIFA-listed international video match official with the goal of being selected for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Another prominent name in Australian refereeing, Sarah Ho, is also concluding her international career. She has been associated with Australian international refereeing since her initial nomination in 2003, and has achieved great success internationally. Her accomplishments include refereeing at three FIFA Women’s World Cup™ tournaments in China 2007, Germany 2011, and Canada 2015, and two Olympic Games in Beijing 2008 and London 2012. Sarah will continue her career as an Assistant Referee in the A-League Women’s panel and as a Video Match Official in the A-League Men’s panel.
Football Australia is also pleased to announce new additions to the international list of referees and assistant referees. This fresh talent will carry on the legacy of excellence that has been associated with Australian Match Officials for a long time.
The names of three Greek-Australian referees, Joana Charaktis, George Lakrindis, and Andrew Meimarakis, stand out on the list and add a touch of… Hellenism to it.
Nathan Magill, Head of Referees at Football Australia, commented, “The retirement of these outstanding match officials marks the end of a significant chapter in Australian football. Their dedication and professionalism have set a high standard and inspired a new generation of referees. We are deeply grateful for their contributions to the game. Both Kate and Sarah have paved the way for Australian match officials on the field, and we look forward to retaining their knowledge and experience as we shape a new generation of world-leading match officials.”
Football Australia CEO James Johnson added, “These referees have been exceptional ambassadors for Australian football on the international stage. Their contributions have played a vital role in elevating the reputation of Australian football globally.” He wished the retired officials the best in their future endeavours and expressed excitement in supporting the growth and development of new referees who will represent Australia as international match officials.
The 2024 FIFA International Match Official lists showcase the strong representation of Australian football at the global level, with a record number of local officials appointed to international lists for the upcoming busy calendar of global football. For the first time, Football Australia has secured an additional Women’s Assistant Referee position on the lists, recognizing the development of Australian Match Officials.
Five Australian officials have been selected to represent Australia at the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2023™ in Qatar. These include Alireza Faghani, Shaun Evans, Ashley Beecham, Anton Shchetinin, and Kate Jacewicz.
Nathan Magill, Head of Referees at Football Australia, extended his congratulations to those selected for the 2024 International lists, saying, “On behalf of Football Australia and the Referees Committee, I congratulate those who have been chosen for the 2024 international lists of match officials. Australia has a well-established reputation for producing highly skilled match officials who perform exceptionally well on the global stage, and I am confident that the 2024 cohort will uphold our outstanding reputation.”
Magill concluded by stating, “The selection of a record number of Australian-based match officials reaffirms the exciting pathway that is available through refereeing in Australia.
