NSW Director of Referees Appointment

A few weeks ago the Australian Billiards and Snooker Council (ABSC) published the new role description for State Director of Referee (DoR). Subsequently Snooker and Billiards NSW Inc. sent the description out with expressions of interest for the NSW Director of Referees vacant role.

It is with pleasure that we would now like to formally announce that Gary Knight from the Central Coast has been successful in this position and will join our team to lead the development of Referees across NSW. Some of Gary’s credentials are as follows:

• A qualified referee (in both Snooker & Billiards) for the past 19 years, obtaining his Class 3 in 2001, Class 2 in 2014 and current Class 1 classification in 2018; 

• For several years he has been a senior active referee in this State, regularly officiating at various levels of competition within Sydney as well as Regional areas (Central Coast, Newcastle, Albury, etc) and also interstate events; 

• An excellent record as a capable and reliable referee and has proven his ability over the years by being allocated control of numerous State, National, Open Ranking and Oceania Finals; 

• Whilst building his refereeing credentials he has developed a good rapport with many of the players, referees and officials involved in our sport. We consider this especially important from a leadership perspective and believe that Gary can maintain and enjoy a high level of mutual respect from a wide majority; 

• He has been actively involved in planning and delivering successful referee training workshops since 2010 on the Central Coast and in more recent years in regional Newcastle and Taree; 

• Gary also has a 26-year career background in the finance industry which provides him with many necessary skills such as budgeting, providing leadership/support/instruction, general administrative and planning abilities and sound written correspondence;

• For the past 18 years he has been a Director on the Board of Mingara Leisure Group, one of the largest and most successful licensed club groups in NSW (the last 11 as Deputy Chairman), which has served to reinforce his effective communication, decision-making, leadership and people skills.

The Board has a number of exciting planned activities which Gary will be driving around Referee development. This will include the management of numerous Referee clinics in NSW in particular a focus to build up Referee numbers in the Sydney Metro and surrounds areas.

This appointment coincides with the establishment of the ABSC Referee Sub-Committee which will be looking to roll out standard frameworks and programs in Australia with a consistent approach across the State Affiliates.

Please join us in welcoming Gary into this important role.

Snooker and Billiards NSW Inc.

Gary Knight at the 2015 NSW Masters Snooker Championship at Club Marconi