Football Queensland is excited to announce another major investment towards cementing the state’s reputation as Australia’s number one pathway for developing referees.

Two new full-time members of the referee department will play a key role in preparing the next generation and further raising standards across the state.

The appointments precede the expansion of Queensland’s state football system in 2018, a move which will provide new opportunities to referees throughout the Sunshine State.

Mark Simon-Green will foster Queensland’s future elite referees as the new State Referee Coach, while Ted Kearney has been appointed Referee Development Officer for Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Simon-Green, who has spent the past five years as Zone Referee Development Officer for the Sunshine Coast, will work with State and Zone Talent Pools to develop elite match officials while also driving the establishment of a referee academy.

Kearney is a vastly experienced mentor who will lead the development of referees in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast while strengthening relationships with clubs.

The pair have been instrumental in developing some of Australia’s finest officials with Brisbane boasting a number of Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League representatives, while Sunshine Coast has produced the likes of Rachel Mitchenson and Alex King in recent years.

“It’s an exciting time to be a referee,” State Referee Development Officer David Wiebe said.

“These appointments are essential to our preparations for 2018 and beyond, both in supporting new referees and ensuring our elite pathways are producing top talent.

“We have seen positive progress with the introduction of Zone Referee Development Officers to new regions and Mark and Ted will complement and build on their work.”

Queensland already boasts more homegrown referees across Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League panels than any other state.

Simon-Green is confident a reinforced referees department will ensure young officials continue to receive the support they need to flourish.

“Part and parcel of coaching referees is purely teaching, particularly some of the younger ones, to make the decision and stand by the decision,” he said.

“If we can get our referees to be confident in themselves and confident there is a support base behind them across the state then they are only going to be better referees in the future.”