Football SA is proud to celebrate Ashley Corney and Sean Grimmond, who were recognised by Football Australia at the National Community Refereeing Awards during the Football Australia Elite Referee Seminar.
The inaugural national awards celebrate the people whose commitment, passion and contribution make community refereeing possible across Australia. Community refereeing is the heartbeat of the referee pathway. Every week, referees and referee coaches across SA give their time and expertise to ensure matches can be played.
Community Referee
Ashley Corney
Whyalla-based referee Ashley Corney was recognised for his outstanding commitment to football and refereeing within his local community.
Located approximately 400 kilometres from Adelaide, Whyalla has five football clubs competing each weekend in the Jim Lawrenson League Championship. With the region’s major industries operating around shift work, referee availability can vary significantly from week to week.
Ashley consistently steps forward to help meet that challenge. Most weekends he makes himself available to referee senior matches on both Saturday and Sunday, and when numbers are particularly stretched, he regularly volunteers to take on additional reserve fixtures.
His contribution also goes beyond his match appointments. Ashley is proactive with his administration, communicates with Football SA when issues arise and is committed to ensuring football in Whyalla continues to have the match officials it needs. His willingness to contribute wherever required reflects exactly what community refereeing is about, providing players with the opportunity to play while ensuring the Laws of the Game and player safety are appropriately managed.
Referee Coach
Sean Grimmond
Sean Grimmond was recognised for his significant contribution to referee coaching and development across South Australia.
After almost a decade away from refereeing, Sean returned to the game in 2024 and quickly established himself as a highly valued member of Football SA's referee coaching team. Sean regularly coaches within Football SA's senior competitions but is equally willing to spend full days supporting developing referees at junior and community fixtures.
Throughout the season he volunteers significant time reviewing match footage, identifying learning opportunities and developing content for Football SA referee education sessions. He also supports the next generation as an instructor within the Junior Football Match Official program.
His contribution extends into futsal, where Sean has become an important part of referee development at state and national level, working as an instructor, referee coach and coordinator and supporting officials within high performance tournament environments.
Importantly, Sean continues to invest in his own development. He actively seeks feedback, works collaboratively with other referee coaches and continually looks for ways to improve how referees are supported and challenged.
Football SA General Manager – Referee Education, Training and Compliance Michelle Smith said the recognition of both recipients was something the South Australian referee community could be extremely proud of.
“Ashley and Sean represent two very different but equally important parts of community refereeing.
Ashley demonstrates the commitment we see from referees across our regional communities, people who continually put their hand up because they understand how important referees are to allowing football to happen.
Sean’s contribution demonstrates the other side of that equation. Developing and retaining referees requires people who are prepared to invest their time, knowledge and energy into helping others improve.
For Ashley and Sean to be recognised nationally is thoroughly deserved and a fantastic acknowledgement of the contribution they make to refereeing and football in South Australia.”
Football South Australia congratulates Ashley Corney and Sean Grimmond on this outstanding national recognition and thanks them for their continued contribution to the game.