2025 Emerging Squad Jersey Presentations
Last night marked a proud and exciting milestone for Parramatta Referees, as we officially launched our 2025 Emerging Squad with jersey presentations.
Our Chairperson, Mat Picone, had the honour of calling out each member of the squad, with jersey presentations made by our Director of Officiating, Ethan Murray. It was a special moment, filled with pride, anticipation, and plenty of smiles from our up-and-coming referees.
Mat took a moment to speak about the importance of the Emerging Squad – describing it as “a key initiative that’s become a real cornerstone of our development pathway here at Parramatta Referees.”
Originally launched in 2022 by Ethan, the Emerging Squad was created with a simple but powerful goal: to identify, support, and fast-track the development of our most promising young referees. In just a short time, the program has grown into something truly special.
Today, the Emerging Squad is more than just recognition – it’s a full development program. Members receive one-on-one coaching, attend advanced training sessions, take part in detailed feedback reviews, and gain real-world experience officiating higher-level fixtures. It’s all about giving them the tools, the confidence, and the mindset to take that next step – whether it’s into junior reps, senior football, or leadership within the Association.
“This isn’t just about rewarding potential – it’s about preparing future leaders,” Mat said during the presentation.
“We don’t just recruit referees – we develop them into outstanding officials. That’s what sets Parramatta Referees apart.”
Each member of the 2025 Emerging Squad received their official on-field and training gear, which will be worn at selected games and additional training sessions throughout the season.
Congratulations to our 2025 Emerging Squad:
- Adam Allouche
- Alessio Schiavone
- Benjamin Picone
- Brooke Munro
- Tony Fahd
- Jackson Lamont
- Jarrod McFarland
- Noah Barakat
- Lachlan Bradley
- Marcus Rowe
- Jazion Semeatu
- Samuel Alkhatib
- Thomas Sellers
- Ayden Stewart
- Zachary Maalouf
- Nicholas Formosa
- Noah Baxter
Director of Officiating Ethan Murray spoke about the growth of the program and the energy in the room:
“It’s great to see so many smiles and excitement – not just from the ones receiving gear tonight, but from all our active referees.
The bond they’ve built is just as important as any other part of their development.”
He added, “This was a first for Parramatta Referees – something I wanted to keep building. And the results so far have been outstanding.”
As we celebrate Respect Month, the Emerging Squad is a perfect reflection of what we stand for – development, support, teamwork, and pride in officiating.
“We take the development of our referees seriously,” Mat concluded.
“The Emerging Squad isn’t just a name – it’s one of our key pillars. A lot of time and planning goes into our coaching, and the results are there for everyone to see.”
Here’s to a big year ahead for the 2025 Emerging Squad – and the bright future they represent for Parramatta Referees.
