Manly Warringah Football Association would like to congratulate Peter Robson on receiving the MWFA’s Meritorious Service Award for his years of dedication, commitment, and passion he has given to our footballing community and our game.
On 19 July 2021, Peter reached the milestone age of 90 as well as 43 years as an active referee. At 90 years of age, Peter has been confirmed as the oldest active referee in NSW and may also be the oldest active referee in Australia.
Despite his age, Peter has continued to referee junior games on a regular basis throughout the 2021 season and even refereed a full 90-minute lower division Men’s AL match when the team referee did not show up.
In 2006, when Peter was 75 years of age, he was awarded Senior Referee of the Year. It is remarkable to consider that he has gone on to referee for another 15 years. Incredible!
In addition to his lengthy career as a referee, Peter has served on the Committee of Manly Warringah Football Referees Association (MWFRA).
His first position on the Committee was Secretary in 1990. He subsequently served as Treasurer from 1991-92, again as Secretary from 1993-97 and ultimately President from 1997-99. He also briefly served as Gear Steward in 2002.
It was during this period of service that Peter was awarded Life Membership of MWFRA (in 1995) to recognise his contribution to the Association.
Throughout his lengthy career, Peter has also been heavily involved in the development of referees.
As a course presenter/instructor, he was responsible for countless new referees completing the Level 4 Course. More recently, he has also assisted with the mentoring of junior referees.
Peter is incredibly proud to have been able to continue to referee for so long. Indeed, when he accepted his trophy for 40 years’ service as a referee, Peter said he would love to see people referee for as long as they can, as he has.
