Griffith Touch Association-trained referee Tony Calabria will represent Australia once again when he travels to New Zealand early next year.
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The Holsworthy-based Calabria will be one of five National Referee Squad (NRS) members to officiate at the 2017 Youth Trans Tasman (YTT) Series in Auckland, New Zealand.
Calabria described the call-up as a “big honour” for the job he does as a hobby.
Unlike sports such as rugby league and AFL, touch referees aren’t paid a full-time salary at the top level.
It’s something Calabria would love to see happen but he won’t be holding his breath.
“I don’t think that would ever happen but it would be nice,” Calabria said.
“Our accommodation and all that sort of thing is paid for but we are essentially volunteers.
“Touch Football Australia is in a partnership with the NRL so it’d be nice to see it [touch football] become professional one day.”
Apart from refereeing at the park level, Calabria jets all over the place to adjudicate at tournaments around the country and across the world.
Refereeing has seen Calabria attend two World Cups – at Edinburgh, Scotland in 2011 and at Coffs Harbour in 2015 – and most recently he refereed at the State Cup on the weekend.
Having been in the refereeing game for 12 years, Calabria has seen plenty change from the best seat in the house.
“The game’s gotten a lot quicker,” Calabria said.
“Players are getting a lot smarter and more skillful.”