There was a touch of NSW flavour in the officiating department on Monday when the Australian Under 23 Olympic side coached by Graham Arnold took on Hyundai A- League club side Adelaide United at Parramatta Stadium.

All three officials hailed from NSW with assistant referee Joel Petrovic and up and coming assistant Nick Backo helping out referee Kris Griffith Jones.

Griffith Jones in particular has been earmarked as potential A-League referee and from all reports did rather well in helping out his cause for a push into next season's competition during the friendly clash which saw the Olyroos run out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Perth Glory's Nikita Rukavytsa and Sydney FC's Mark Bridge.

Griffith Jones is currently the main attraction on Football NSW's popular television program "Football Stars of tomorrow" as he takes part in the segment 'Referee Rulz"

Story taken from Football NSW  web site

This month's talent watch referee is Stephen Lucas.

22 year old Stephen began refereeing at the young age of 14 with the Kuringai district branch, two years ago he joined the now known semi profesional referee State Branch NSWSLFR INC.

Whilst doing my weekend rounds of the grounds I spotted Stephen as he was about to take the field at the Sydney United Sports Centre.

On this particular late afternoon I was able to view the entire match and his performance at the conclusion of the match can only be described as impressive.

The game at hand was a Premier League match between Sydney United Vs Penrith Nepean U/20. Stephen demonstrated many refereeing attributes that at the end allowed him to control the match with ease, he showed speed and stamina, good communication skills with the players, showed he was firm when needed and above all he looked very confident. 

Off the field Stephen is a well spoken gentleman, polite, courteous and appears to be a very good listener and takes advise from his peers, adding these traits to his refereeing ability can only ensure that his future looks promising, as an athelete needs to be just as good off the park as on it.

This weekend will see all men's Football NSW competitions in action as the Northern and Southern Conference League's kick off on Saturday afternoon.

Also kicking off this month is a new referee talent watch segment on this web site, running through to the end of the football season.

                                                          April's referee talent watch is Kevin Peddie, a new kid on the block. At the age of twenty-three, 1.83 meters tall Kevin, joined our Division this year from the Sutherland Referee's Branch.

After receiving multiple positive reports regarding Kevin's ability as an Assistant Referee, last week I was tipped off that his true talent is actually in the middle of the field and that his passion is blowing the whistle.

So with all the promising feedback I decided to see for myself what all the fuss was about and attempt somehow to validate what has been banded about.

On a gorgeous very hot Sunday afternoon, where most people would be visiting a beach near by I continued on my quest and caught up with Kevin.

The venue was a fantastic looking Arlington Oval where to note Kevin was about to make his Football New South Wales debut by officiating a first grade game between two main contender's for this year's title, Stanmore Hawks and Hurstville ZFC. 

As I arrived, Kevin was on the line assisting on the U/20 match, I observed him and him alone and can confirm the positive information regarding his assisting ability is accurate, with twenty minutes left of the game he looked very sharp.  

Just before he was about to take the field for the main game I managed to fire off six talent watch questions just to get to know him better. 

Q. Why did you choose to take up refereeing?

A. I wanted to get involved with the sport that I love so much and at the same time keep fit