So you think Refereeing is tough?

Mark Shields off overseas again and again and again!

So you are currently refereeing the young players at your local club. Well so was Mark Shields and look what happened to him. For young male and female refs there are now wonderful opportunities ahead of them

Having begun his refereeing career at the age of 12, Mark quickly rose through the refereeing ranks officiating senior matches at 16, his first professional matches at 22, received his FIFA international badge at 25 years and at 28 was selected to referee at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan.

Sheild's was thrilled after hearing news of his appointment. He has been appointed one of 15 official Asia Cup referees. “It's fantastic to receive an appointment to the top football competition in Asia,” said Shield

"Having refereed quite a few games in the region since Australia become part of the AFC, I'm expecting the matches to be very fast, exciting and challenging. Shield and fellow Aussie ref Matthew Breeze will join their fellow referees in Kuala Lumpur on the 30th of June to prepare for the tournament and receive their first match appointments.

Good luck to all the young refs on the ovals this weekend. If you see one tell them they have a big career path ahead of them now Australia is in Asia.