Queensland’s pipeline of refereeing talent continues to produce, as referees Adam Kersey and Alex King have been selected for the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Referees Panel.
Queenslanders now make up five of the 13 spots on the Hyundai A-League Panel.
Both Kersey and King have refereed in over 50 PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland matches, in addition to taking the whistle for Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 games in each of the past three years.
Kersey is no stranger to the bright lights of the Hyundai A-League, having refereed in the competition 11 times from 2012-2014.
He believes that familiarity will serve him well as he returns to Australia’s top league.
“My past experience will definitely help in the lead up to matches and dealing with the pressure of the A-League,” said Kersey.
“It doesn’t change much when it comes to what you do on the field, it’s what you do off the field. There is more match analysis and performance review, but also the pressure of the media and spectators. It’s just about managing that expectation.”
While Kersey will be treading familiar ground next season, King is refereeing in the Hyundai A-League for the first time.
King is confident his simple approach to the job will translate well to the higher level.
“I’ve got to where I am doing my thing so I’m not going to change too much. I’m going to keep it as basic as I can and be prepared physically and mentally,” King said.
“If you show the players you’re a decent person, they will believe in you more. Being honest is important. You can’t see everything with just two eyes so all you can do is make the best decisions you can in those 90 minutes.”
Queensland has a growing number of referees in the top flight, as King and Kersey join Chris Beath, Jarred Gillett and Peter Green on the Hyundai A-League Panel. The Westfield W-League panel also has a strong Queensland flavour, with Rebecca Durcau, Rachel Mitchenson, Casey Reibelt and Lara Smith representing the state.
The trio of Beath, Gillett and Green have all been in the middle for over 100 Hyundai A-League games and have helped forge a powerful camaraderie in the state’s refereeing ranks.
State Referees Coach Ted Kearney points towards the team culture as a major factor behind Queensland’s ongoing success.
“We have developed a culture here that the team believes in. If the group doesn’t believe in what you are telling them and the direction you are taking them, success is harder to achieve,” said Kearney.
“This is the best group of young men and women I have ever worked with and the most committed. The success is the product of the ethos they have developed together.”
Kearney also gave a glowing endorsement of Kersey and King’s capacity to excel in the Hyundai A-League.
“The difference between the average and the very good is the way they think. Adam and Alex have the desire and commitment, which is a basic ingredient to success,” Kearney said.
“I don’t think they will have to change at all. Physically and mentally they are both ready.
“They will both simply get better with experience at this level.”
CLICK HERE if you want to follow in Adam and Alex’s footsteps as a referee.
Queensland’s Elite Referees
Hyundai A-League Referees
– Chris Beath
– Jarred Gillett
– Peter Green
– Adam Kersey
– Alex King
Westfield W-League Referees
– Rebecca Durcau
– Rachel Mitchenson
– Casey Reibelt
– Lara Smith
Hyundai A-League Assistant Referees
– Ashley Beecham
– Andrew Lindsay
– Nathan MacDonald
– Anton Shchetinin
– David Walsh
Westfield W-League Assistant Referees
– Renae Coghill
– Danielle Potticary
Foxtel Y-League Referees
– Albert Krause
– Brad Burton
– Jay Hudson
– Ryan Mooney
