OFFICIATING is not a path Rhys Fisher thought his love for football would take him down.
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But refereeing football games has taken him to further heights than playing the sport ever did.
The 20 year old from Nelson Bay has been selected represent Northern NSW Football’s state league referees as a match official at the National Youth Championships for Boys.
Between October 2 and 8 Fisher will referee games played by some of the nation’s best under-13 and 14 boys at the championship in Coffs Harbour.
The opportunity is one rung on the ladder to lead him to officiating in the A-League, his ultimate goal.
“I’m slowly starting to get there,” Fisher said. “Being scouted at events like nationals is how you get picked for the next level.
“Assessors from Football Federation Australia will be there and if they like what they see, they’ll put your name forward for the next stage which is the National Youth League Panel.”
Fisher played football for Nelson Bay for 12 years, give or take one or two seasons when he joined the Adamstown and Stockton clubs.
He refereed his first game, for Nelson Bay, as 12 years old and joined the Newcastle Football Referees at 14 years old.
A knee injury meant Fisher had to give up playing in 2013.
Fisher said he loved the game too much to give it up and continued down the path of refereeing.
“It was such a hard decision, but I decided to stop playing,” he said.
“This way [refereeing] I can still enjoy being part of the game.”
This year Fisher officiated games in the National Premier Leagues and joined the state referee talent pool, which is how he was picked for nationals.
Fisher will leave for Coffs Harbour on Saturday.
He said he is not letting the pressure of being scouted get to him.
“I go out there, even if it’s a grand-final, like it’s a normal game,” he said.
“You try not let nerves get to you. I ref every game to the best of my ability, and evaluate after.”
Like all referees, Fisher has copped his fair share of abuse during the years.
He said football has a “zero tolerance” for abuse towards match officials.
“I’ve learnt over the years to ignore it, but it does get to you sometimes,” he said.
“We have monthly coaching sessions and meetings that advise you how to approach situations and how to talk with coaches.
“There’s no leeway for it, we don’t allow it. If anything does happen we write a report about it.”
