Victoria’s referee community gathered at The Rydges, Melbourne, on Thursday, September 18, to celebrate the 2025 season at the Football Victoria (FV) Referee Awards Night.
The event saw a packed-out crowd, hosted by NPL Victoria commentator Josh Parish, with FV President Dr Angela Williams, Interim CEO Dan Birrell and Football Australia’s Head of Referees, Jon Moss in attendance alongside referees of all levels who travelled from metro Melbourne and regional Victoria to mark the occasion.
FV extends a heartfelt thank you to every referee in our community for their unwavering dedication and commitment to the sport, and we send a huge congratulations to all the night’s award winners, listed below
2025 Referees Night Photo Album
Award Winners
Rising Star Award
This award is awarded to the highest-performing officials from the talent pool program, who have demonstrated enormous potential and commitment throughout 2025.
- Dimitri Gounaris
- Helena Panagiotidis
Futsal Awards
Awarded to the best performing Male and Female Futsal referees throughout 2024.
- Sebastiaan Sterel
- Maria Patrikis
State League Awards
Awarded to the top three performing referees across the State League program.
- Aleksandar Nikoloski
- Daniel Papadakis
- Francis Osei-Ntim
Local Hero
Awarded for outstanding dedication to the refereeing community and helped to foster a positive culture within refereeing circles and the wider football family.
- Lazaros Pantelidis
- William Quartermain
- Gabriel McCoy
The Whistle Of Hope
An extremely special award honouring the late Hary Milas' legacy. Hary was a highly respected and much-loved member of not only the refereeing community, but the entire football community. He championed many great causes and was renowned for his dedication, positivity, and selflessness.
- Steward Howell
NPL Men's Referee Awards
Awarded to the best-performing referee and assistant referee of the 2025 NPL Men's season.
- Referee: Jack Morgan
- Assistant Referee: Benjamin Lepileo
NPL Women's Referee Awards
Awarded to the best-performing referee and assistant referee of the 2025 NPL Women's season.
- Referee of the Year: Shab Saban
- Assistant Referee of the Year: Daphne Gounaris
Referees Referee of the Year
Voted on by the referees to highlight a peer who has consistently demonstrated excellence throughout the season.
- Lucas Mattia
Community Referee of the Year
Presented to Match Officials who display the core values of Community Football, going above and beyond in their commitment to the game.
- Ian Hewett
- Audrey Azzopardi
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