Football South Australia Match Official Daniel Cook will this weekend make his debut as a referee in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s competition, when he takes charge of the Matchday 22 fixture between Perth Glory and Macarthur FC on Saturday night.
Having been involved with the A-League Men’s competition as a Fourth Official since 2019, Daniel’s appointment on Saturday night will see him become only the fourth South Australian to referee a men’s top-flight match in the A-Leagues era.
Daniel began refereeing Junior football in 2008 as a 13-year-old. He made his Senior Grade debut in 2013, and has subsequently controlled 186 Football SA Senior Men's matches across League & Cup competitions, including 117 RAA National Premier Leagues SA fixtures.
He was the winner of the Mick O’Malley Young Referee of the Year award in 2015 and 2016, Mike Ingham Referee of the Year award in 2018, 2019 and 2022, and has refereed four RAA NPLSA Grand Finals (2018, 2019, 2020, 2022) and two Federation Cup Finals (2016, 2018).
Daniel reflected on his upcoming appointment:
It is an honour to be selected for a game like this and it wouldn’t have been able to happen without the amazing referee coaching, mentorship and competitive football here in SA.
Michelle Smith, Chair of the Football SA State Referee Committee, said:
This is a tremendous accomplishment that Daniel has worked extremely hard to achieve. It is a testament to his dedication, both on and off the field, the sacrifices he has made and his perseverance to seek advice to develop into the excellent Match Official that he is.
Daniel Cook joins Daniel Elder as one of the two South Australian match officials who referee the Isuzu A-League Men’s Competition and Isabella Blaess who referees the Liberty A-League Women’s Competition. There are currently six South Australian on field match officials who officiate across the A-Leagues Competitions.
Football SA wishes Daniel the best of luck with his match this weekend and hopes to see him officiating in the A-Leagues for years to come.
Match Details:
Perth Glory v Macarthur FC
Saturday 1 April 2023 at Macedonia Park
Kickoff: 9:30 PM (Adelaide) / 7:00 PM (Perth)
If you are interested in becoming a referee, please visit the following link for further information including upcoming courses: https://www.footballsa.com.au/referee-resources