Mr Dent was 40 when he decided to take up the sport as a player, and he has racked up more than 10 years experience as a referee, officiating about 400 games.

And there is little doubt the Bowral man is passionate about the sport he describes as the “most fluent, fastest flowing game on the planet”.

“I spent six months playing goalkeeper, but I was hopeless,” he said.

“I got a sore neck from watching the balls pass me by and go straight in for a goal.

“One day I saw a young referee getting abused by a spectator and I decided then and there that I could make a much greater impact in the sport as a referee.”

The constant and diligent guidance of the Highlands Soccer Referees Association, an organisation that falls under the banner of Football Federation Australia, has helped Mr Dent hone his refereeing talents to a commanding first grade level.

His performance as a referee in 2007 saw him appointed assistant referee at the NSW Champion of Champions under 17 grand final.

He shared the honour with two other Bowral referees, James Tesoriero, who was the other assistant referee in the game, and Rod McDonald, who took on the role in the centre.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Friday, September 5

jackie.meyers@ruralpress.com