Queensland’s best referees have been recognised at the 2018 Queensland Referees Gala Dinner held at the Royal on the Park hotel on Saturday night.
This year’s Referee Awards event was co-hosted by Football Queensland (FQ) and Football Brisbane (FB) and included a host of FQ and FB awards.
The Mark Shield Medal was awarded to 2018 Hyundai A-League Grand Final referee Jarred Gillett for a record fourth time, while Rebecca Durcau was named the recipient of the Pursuit of Excellence Referee Award for 2018.
FQ State Referee Coach Ted Kearney said Durcau received the Pursuit of Excellence award, which can only be won once, due to her outstanding performance both on and off the field.
“The Pursuit of Excellence Program is about producing quality people; developing a culture, developing a team that respects everybody in the game, and teaching them how to be the best person they can be every day,” Kearney said.
“To win the Pursuit of Excellence Award, you’ve got to tick all the boxes.
“You have to be a person who is as good as he or she can be on and off the field – off the field being as important as on the field – committed to the cause, giving up their time, being away from their families, as well as performing on the park.
“It’s like a local Hall of Fame and this year it was Rebecca’s turn to be recognised.”
2018 REFEREE AWARDS DINNER AWARD RECIPIENTS
Football Brisbane Outstanding Service to Referees Award: Ian Hughes
Mick Novakovic Award in Support of Young Referees: Darren McLeod (pictured below, right)
Mick Novakovic Award Emerging Talent: Bailey Jacobsen
Football Brisbane Best First Year Youth Referee: Bradley Drummond
Football Brisbane Best First Year Senior Referee: Hamish Cannon
Football Brisbane Most Improved Youth Referee of the Year: James Wissler
Football Brisbane Most Improved Senior Referee of the Year: Ryan Jacobsen
Football Brisbane Youth Encouragement Award: Blake Vuksan
Football Brisbane Senior Encouragement Award: Derek Smith
FQPL Grand Final Referee: Lara Lee
NPLW Grand Final Referee: Lucinda Robertson
Des Miles NPL Grand Final Referee: Matthew Skinner
Football Brisbane Youth Assistant Referee of the Year: Jacob Tunks
Football Brisbane Senior Assistant Referee of the Year: Carl Harper
Pursuit of Excellence Assistant Referee: Oleg Labuz (pictured below, centre)
Football Brisbane Youth Referee of the Year: Jacob Morgan
Football Brisbane Senior Referee of the Year: Phillip Tracey
Pursuit of Excellence Referee: Rebecca Durcau (pictured below, left)
Mark Shield Medal: Jarred Gillett
Words: Elizabeth Lepre
Images: Ian Judd, Bradley Kanaris