When Ryan Shepheard blows the full-time whistle at the Football NSW Futsal Premier League’s Grand Final this Saturday he will also call time on a career which has seen him rise to the status of Australia’s most decorated futsal referee.
Ryan Shepheard describes refereeing as much about mindset as it is about technical skills. “Be patient with your journey, stay grounded and always appreciate the privilege of being part of the game,” he says. “The lessons you learn along the way will shape both your career and character.”
Shepheard has learned many lessons and had quite the journey in his over three decades of officiating. From running lines in local parks in his teenage years to scaling the heights of two FIFA Futsal World Cups in his forties, Shepheard’s story is one of patience and consistency.
“It’s always important to enjoy each opportunity you are provided with along the refereeing journey,” Shepheard says with respect to his own progression. “The rise to the top requires patience and persistence, but setbacks can come quickly and are part of the process.”
Shepheard began futsal in 2008 while also refereeing football at the highest levels domestically. His talent was immediately recognised and Shepheard was added to the FIFA list of Futsal Referees in 2009.
He was a regular feature in domestic finals and appointments to futsal tournaments in Asia throughout this early period while also holding down a position on the A-League Panel as a top-level football referee for three seasons.
In 2016 Shepheard received his first major international honour, officiating the final of the AFC Futsal Clubs Championship in Bangkok. This opened the next phase of his career where he would go on to cement himself as Australia’s number one futsal official, ultimately appearing at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in both 2021 and 2024.
In these years he also broke new ground internationally, in 2022 becoming the first Australian to referee an Asian Futsal Cup Final and again in 2024 where he became the first Australian to referee on pitch in a Futsal World Cup semi-final.
Reflecting on his career Shepheard says he feels incredibly privileged to have played a role in some of the most competitive futsal matches on the world stage. “These experiences have not only tested my abilities but also reinforced my passion and commitment to the sport,” he says.
Like any elite sporting career, Shepheard’s time at the top of his game has not come without its sacrifices. “Whilst to the outside world, people see the successes on the pitch, what is not seen is the hard work and dedication to always perform well at the highest level,” Shepheard says. “The greatest challenge has consistently been balancing the demands of refereeing with those of work and family life.”
Shepheard says overcoming these challenges has taught him the value of discipline, resilience, and the importance of having a strong support system. “Balancing it all has been tough, but every sacrifice and effort has been worth it to reach the elite level of refereeing,” he says.
While his honours list is certainly long, it comes as no surprise that his two FIFA Futsal World Cup appearances rate as the key highlights of Shepheard’s career. “The pinnacle for me was being appointed referee for the semi-final between Argentina and France in Uzbekistan this year,” he says. “The competitive nature of both teams, combined with high technical ability and the ultimate prize of the World Cup final on offer, made this a contest like no other experience.”
Shepheard’s international success may be the headline of his career however his impact extends beyond his efforts on the pitch. A professional educator by training, with a cany ability for match analysis, Shepheard has played an important role in the training and development of many up-and-coming futsal referees.
Known for a strong air of confidence on the pitch and no-nonsense approach to officiating, Shepheard has provided a blueprint for referees developing their craft to find what he describes as a balance between confidence and arrogance. “Have confidence in your decision-making and a high-level of self-belief, yet not lose sight of your role within the game,” he says.
While he leaves the ranks of Australian futsal referees with a record many can now aspire to equal, Shepheard believes the future of futsal refereeing in Australia is bright. “With the right investment in development, education and mentorship, we’ll continue to see our referees excel on the national and international stage, he says. “I’m confident that the next generation will rise to the challenge and take Australian futsal refereeing to even greater heights.”
While his career has scaled the giddy heights of the international game, ultimately Shepheard’s possibly best advice to his up-and-coming colleagues is one of being present and enjoying what is currently in front of them.
“While referees often look to the next coaching report, higher-level game, or tournament, you have to value being part of today’s matches and playing your part,” he says. “Savour the moments.”
When he leads the teams out for one final time this Saturday, he will be doing just that.
Ryan Shepheard will officiate the 2024 Football NSW Futsal Premier League Men’s Grand Final on Saturday 21 December at 4.30pm. The match will be streamed live on the Football NSW YouTube Channel.
