TOUCH JUDGE
Recognition for our top whistleblower

Sergeant Matt Vernon, one of the ADF’s best touch referees. Photo by AC Allan Cooper

By Ben Caddaye

AFTER years of plying his trade, touch football referee Sergeant Matt Vernon has been recognised as one of the country’s top whistleblowers.
At the recent National Touch League carnival in Coffs Harbour, SGT Vernon, who

oversaw the highly competitive open division, was rated as one the tournament’s best referees.

In recognition of his outstanding performance, SGT Vernon was given a Level 6 ranking, enabling him to adjudicate at international level.

He was then named in the training squad for the Australian referee contingent being sent to participate in the 2003 Touch World Cup in Japan in May – an event reserved for the sport’s elite players and officials.

“Only Level 6 referees are eligible for the World Cup so my first hurdle was to be upgraded,” SGT Vernon said.

To be elevated to Level 6, a referee must perform to a certain standard for a minimum of 12 months.

“I was fortunate that this period aligned with the selection period for the World Cup. At the time I thought it would be great to go to a World Cup but by no means did I think I would be selected.”

He was selected, but bad timing means SGT Vernon will have to pass on this opportunity of a lifetime. His Air Force commitments at RAAF Base Richmond come first.

“I have been selected for Exercise Longlook in the UK and this is held at the same time as the World Cup, so unfortunately I am not able to attend.”

Although a little disappointed at being denied the chance to referee on the world’s biggest stage, SGT Vernon is already eyeing the next World Cup in New Zealand in three years.

“So the pressure is on to maintain my fitness and improve my ranking.”

SGT Vernon began refereeing touch football in 1995, under the guidance of Major Greg Eggins, who was responsible for launching the careers of numerous touch referees.

While SGT Vernon is graded through the Australian Defence Touch Association, most of the tournaments he’s appeared in have been under the banner of the NSW Touch Association.

While refereeing touch games is far from a lucrative money earner, SGT Vernon gets immense satisfaction from being out in the middle.

“One of the most important things for a referee is the ability to interact with players and coaches. It is essential to appreciate that players are there to win.

“They are normally competitive people by nature and don’t see decisions the way that you as a referee may.”

As a result, SGT Vernon isn’t always the most popular person on the pitch.

“Abuse? Yep, copped it from some of the best. Some of it is quite funny.”

Refereeing touch football looks like running in SGT Vernon’s family, with his son taking it up at the age of 10.
“He currently refs at Penrith in the civilian competition. For him it has been a great source of pocket money.”

.