Queensland referees Albert Krause and Max Crane are continuing to make strides towards the top after being selected to officiate at the Boys National Training Centre Challenge in December.

The pair will gain further big-match experience at the tournament having been identified as having the potential to perform at the elite level.

Krause (pictured; left), who is based on the Sunshine Coast, won the Mick Novakovic Emerging Referee Award in 2015 and is a member of this year’s Foxtel National Youth League panel.

Crane (right) was recently named Referee of the Championships for the U14 Boys age group at the FFA National Youth Championships.

“The season has really come good in the last few weeks. Way above my expectations,” Crane said.

“I started this season with just the aim of my steady progress but given how well this season has gone I’m hoping to get on to the National Youth League either next season or the season after that.”

MORE: Head here for a list of upcoming referee courses

The NTC Challenge will see each state’s elite youth players compete against each other from Sunday, 4 to Friday, 9 December.

Crane believes his experience officiating in senior matches across both Football Brisbane competitions and the PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues stands him in good stead for the tournament.

“The quality of football in the NPL is pretty good and it prepares me for the style of football that’s played in these tournaments – football that’s in line with the national curriculum,” he said.

“Obviously with these tournaments I’m refereeing 15-year-old boys rather than 20-year-olds and men.

“The ability to adapt I think is the most important thing.”

Football Queensland’s State Referee Development Officer David Wiebe will also attend the tournament as one of four instructors for the selected match officials.