Northern NSW Football is pleased to announce Joseph Vella as Northern Inland Football’s Newcastle Permanent Referee of the Year for 2020.
Vella officiates matches for Northern Inland Football and has shown true dedication and passion for the game giving players, coaches and spectators the best experience possible.
Vella is another up promising young official from Tamworth who was to go past 40 games in this shortened season.
Joseph dedicated the 2020 season to officiating and not playing which has seen his confidence, competence and fitness improve from last year. He has made himself available every week, every time slot, with the exception of one weekend where some study took priority.
He has been an official on all competitive age groups in Tamworth from under-12s to Premier Division men’s and women’s.
Referees Appointments Officer Les Withers said Joseph was an appointments officer’s dream.
“[You] need a spot filled and he’s there. Some days when we’ve been short he’s done four or five games without a break and he never complained, nor have I had a complaint from anyone about his officiating,” Withers said.
“He’s a polite young man and becoming a very good official.”
Along with this award, Joseph has also been named the winner of one of the most prestigious awards for Tamworth Referees, the Rod Hobbs Medal, for his efforts this season.
Northern NSW Football Head of Football Development Peter Haynes said NNSWF were delighted to be able to recognise Vella’s contribution.
“Joseph’s contribution to the game through his role as a Match Official has been wonderful,” Haynes said.
“Referees are vital to the enjoyment of the game by players, coaches and spectators alike and Joseph has shown that he takes this responsibility very seriously. I congratulate Joseph on his award on behalf of NNSWF and all players, coaches and spectators across the state.”
Newcastle Permanent Tamworth Branch Manager Julie Callander congratulated Vella on becoming the recipient of the Newcastle Permanent Referee of the Year award for Northern Inland Football.
“Through Newcastle Permanent’s Community Football Awards we recognise the important role referees play in creating fair play and respect on the field,” Callander said.
“Our thanks to all the referees across northern NSW for their contributions to the game and congratulations to this year’s winner.”
As the winner of their Zone’s Referee of the Year award, Vella is now a nominee for Northern NSW Football’s Annual Newcastle Permanent Referee of the Year award to be announced during the week commencing 26 October.
About NNSWF’s Community Partnership with Newcastle Permanent:
Newcastle Permanent is the major partner of Community Football across northern NSW and has partnered with NNSWF since 2008, supporting the High-Performance Program and Junior Football Program.
Newcastle Permanent’s investment in football is one of its most important community partnerships and reflects the financial institution’s commitment to supporting the local community.
Integral to the Newcastle Permanent Community Football partnership is recognition of volunteers, coaches, referees and others on the ground who play a vital role in delivering the game across northern NSW.
The Community Partnership with Newcastle Permanent includes recognition programs such as Newcastle Permanent Volunteer of the Month, Newcastle Permanent Community Coach of the Month, Newcastle Permanent Referee of the Month, Newcastle Permanent Community Club of the Year, training tools for community coaches and volunteers, as well as the distribution of more than 10,000 free footballs to young players each year.
