Young official wins referee award during Female Football Week

BALLINA referee Kiara Jobson has been recognised as one of Northern NSW’s leading officials after taking out Referee of the Year at the Football Female Football Week awards.

Jobson has become known across the region for her willingness to officiate matches at all levels while also mentoring younger referees coming through the ranks.

The award capped another strong year for the official, who was also named Football Far North Coast Referee of the Year for 2025.

The 22 year old first picked up a whistle 10 years ago and now hopes to referee A League games in the future.

“I was very surprised to get the award, but it felt great getting the recognition,” Jobson said.

“Once I got going, I thought, why don’t I do this properly, get paid a little bit more on weekends and help out the game when I can.

“My goal over the next few years is to get to A League level and then hopefully nationals if I can work my way there.”

Football Far North Coast general manager Steve Mackney said the recognition was thoroughly deserved.

“What a terrific person Kiara is and we here in Football Far North Coast are so proud she was recognised publicly at the NNSWF Female Football Week awards,” he said.

“After 10 years officiating, Kiara continues to be enthusiastic and driven by wanting to make a positive contribution to the game and she is a wonderful mentor for other match officials.”

For Jobson, receiving the award during Female Football Week made the moment even more meaningful, particularly as a referee from a regional area.

Despite the pressures that often come with officiating, she said refereeing remains one of her favourite parts of football.

Away from football, Jobson works as a supervisor at KFC and said the roles are surprisingly similar.

“Honestly, it’s very similar dealing with customers as it is dealing with some adult players,” she said.

“It’s important to be confident and have those communication skills on the run.”

After recently retiring from playing football herself, Jobson said refereeing has helped her stay connected to the sport she loves.

She also encouraged more people to consider taking up officiating, with local competitions across the region continuing to need referees.

“Even if it’s not every weekend, one or two games every few weeks always helps out,” she said.

“And at least in our region, there’s an amazing support system of older referees supporting the new ones as they come through.”