REFEREES are forever the forgotten men and women in sport but just like Tasmania's talented players, some of the state's talented young soccer referees are making strides on a national level.
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One of them is Tasmania's Young Referee of the Year for 2014, Sarah Wikeley.
Wikelely is 19 years of age and firmly on the national radar.
The Launceston-based referee is on the Football Federation Australia's national referee talent pool and has refereed at national youth championships and was recently been awarded a national officiating scholarship.
Football Federation Tasmania presented Wikeley with the Young Referee of the Year award in Hobart yesterday and chief executive officer Mike Palmer said it was important for Tasmania to produce talented young referees as well as players.
"The game needs good referees and the standard of refereeing for our local game is a major priority," he said.
"It is great that we are producing young referees that just like our talented young players are being recognised outside of Tasmania.
Sarah is a great example of the quality referees we are producing, she is outstanding example for aspiring referees," he said.