2021 has been a magical moment of young talent time for rising star, Macksville’s Celeste Cameron.
The 16-year-old is loving life on both sides of the whistle – though it’s as an official that Celeste has most impressed.
So much so that the Year 11 student at Macksville High was named as one of only three finalists in the Female Football Week Referee of the Year Awards.
That’s a remarkable achievement for someone only four years into a career as a match official.
The ascension has been so swift that Celeste won a gig at the Women’s State Cup.
“It was heaps good and an opportunity to work with other referees from different places,” Celeste said.
“I like refereeing because it’s a good challenge and you get to watch a high level of football.”
Celeste has controlled 1st and 2nd Division women’s fixtures, and a host of NPL games – and also enjoys playing for the Macksville Stingers on the right wing.
“I hope to keep doing both (refereeing and playing). There’s only been a couple of times when I’ve had to leave my game early to referee,” she said.