TEEN REFEREE IN CHARGE
YOUNG OFFICIAL’S PASSION FOR SPORT SHINES THROUGH ON FIELD
GROWING up watching her mum play touch football, it was inevitable that Georgia Soeters would lace up her boots and take to the field one day.
Soeters loves having the ball in hand and setting up her teammates for tries, but she also has a passion for refereeing.
GEORGIA Soeters’ journey to becoming a referee started just like so many others.
Growing up watching her mother Hope play touch football, Georgia quickly swapped supporting from the sideline for playing the game.
And when the call went out for referees, Georgia, then aged 13, put up her hand.
“The (Toowoomba Touch Football) competition needed referees and my club Royals asked if anyone wanted to volunteer,” Georgia said.
“At the time I thought it would be good to have some of my own money to spend if I went to the shops with my friends.
“I thought it was the right thing to do as well because the competition needed referees – I quickly started to enjoy it as well.”
Georgia is now a more than familiar face at the Kearneys Spring Sports Complex with her whistle in hand when she isn’t playing.
“It’s a real passion for me now,” Georgia said.
“I love the challenges and opportunities it presents.
“I’ve been able to travel a lot, make new friends and referee some very big games and tournaments.”
Named in the Junior Emerging Talent Squad (JETS), a program for developing young referees, Georgia is well on track to reaching her Level 6 referee accreditation by the age if 21.
“I’m Level 3 now and am going for my Level 4 soon,” the 17-year-old said.
“I set myself the goal of reaching Level 6 by the time I am 21, and I’m confident I can make that goal.
“It’s just a matter of doing all the little things right.
“Making sure you’re fit, healthy and prepare before a game properly.
“When you’re refereeing a game it’s about making sure you have control of it (the game) and you’re confident in the calls you make.”
Confidence isn’t an issue for Georgia on the field.
With four years of experience under her belt, Georgia has seen it all – including more than her fair share of irate players.
“I have just about seen it all, and none of it worries me,” Georgia said.
“Sometimes I think they (players), particularly some of the older guys, try it on when I am refereeing, and they look a bit shocked when I blow my whistle, stop the game and tell them how it is.
“None of it worries me because making decisions is part of the game.”
Georgia is set to referee at the Queensland State Championships in November.