Football Queensland is excited to announce the addition of Zeke Newman, an internationally acclaimed field hockey and indoor hockey umpire, as a panellist for the upcoming Referee Convention to be held on Saturday, 2 November and Sunday, 3 November as part of the inaugural Queensland Football Convention.
“Zeke Newman’s journey as a high-performance umpire exemplifies the dedication and skill required to excel in sport at the highest levels, offering unique insights and practical knowledge to Queensland referees eager to elevate their officiating skills,” Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said.
“His extensive experience at the top level, including officiating at the Paris 2024 Olympics and the FIH (International Hockey Federation) Under 21 World Cup 2023 Gold Medal Match, makes him a valuable asset for our referees to learn from during the upcoming Referee Convention.”
As a member of the FIH Leading Panel for Field Hockey and the FIH High Potential Panel for Indoor Hockey, Newman has developed into an internationally renowned field hockey and indoor hockey umpire, officiating matches and showcasing his talent on some of the biggest stages including an appointment to the upcoming FIH Indoor World Cup 2025, underscoring his considerable standing in the sport.
During the Referee Convention, Newman will participate in two panels, ‘Preparing Yourself for Success’ and ‘Managing Expectations,’ contributing his insights alongside other esteemed referees on the best practices for growth and development of current and aspiring officials to help them achieve their full potential.
Newman’s dedication to sport, combined with his expertise, will help to inspire and build a deeper understanding of high-level officiating practices and provide invaluable perspectives for referees aiming to achieve excellence in their roles.
Further announcements of additional speakers for the Queensland Football Convention will be released soon.
In addition to the convention sessions, the Queensland Football Convention will also include a cocktail networking event at the Sunset Lounge at Suncorp Stadium for Brisbane Roar Men’s home opener against Sydney FC on Friday, 1 November, and the Football in Queensland Awards Night at Brisbane City Hall.
Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 Queensland Football Convention.
