ESFA Referee, Brendan Koehler, is applying to the NSW State League Football Referees in 2011, hoping to see this as the next step toward refereeing in the Hyundai A-League and even at a FIFA World Cup.

Brendan is a towering figure in the middle of the park and has received numerous positive complements from ESFA teams. The aim to create a positive relationship with players has seen Brendan receive his success.

A friend’s recommendation led to Brendan joining the Branch in 2009 and he has quickly accelerated within the Branch, with the last two years culminating in his appointment to the Premier League Reserves Grand Final in 2010, much to his honour.

Taking his own initiative, Brendan challenges himself to achieve his desires – ‘Be in control of your own desires, don’t let others control it’ is his personal motto.

ESFA Referees Branch Chairman, Paul Matthews, has expressed his enthusiasm at seeing referees in the Branch striving to achieve higher levels.

‘It’s nice to see some of the young referees showing a lot of initiative to further their career in refereeing. And we certainly actively encourage junior referees to progress to the highest possible level.’