Local touch football referee Deborah Mortimer to mentor female referees

Maria Girgenti

AWARD-WINNING touch football referee, Deborah Mortimer from Innisfail, gained selection to be a female referee mentor at the Q Youth regional camp on the Gold Coast from February 10 - 12.

Mortimer earned selection by the Queensland Touch Football junior referee development team based on her leadership qualities and abilities during the National Junior Championships, where she was a team referee leader.

At the three-day Q Youth regional camp, Mortimer will be involved in mentoring, coaching, and providing feedback to all Junior Emerging Talent Squad referee members (JETS), focusing on the female referees within the squad.

Mortimer will be at the same camp as local touch football players Skye Barba, Tahlia Hayes, Ellie Jenkins, Brooke Johnston, Lily De Brincat, SummerRose Phair and Layla Jenkins.

This is a massive accomplishment for Mortimer, who should be extremely proud, given her efforts and dedication to the game of touch football.

Last year, Mortimer was one of three to receive an upgrade to Level 5 Senior Referee and attended the National Touch League tournament at Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.

Mortimer also received two prestigious awards, the NationalsReferee Team Award, nominated by her team members and Referee Manager’s Award, which she won against 160 other referees.

For the past two years, Mortimer has worked tirelessly to gain confidence and the skills required as a referee and has successfully achieved an upgrade to a Level 5 Referee.

Mortimer attended various events locally, regionally and at the state level showing her commitment and dedication to the sport.

Coming from a netball background, Mortimer played her first game of touch football at age 15 and soon developed a love for the sport and became a representative player at local, state and national levels.

For the past seven years, Mortimer has played at the National Touch League, but in 2022 was her first National event as a referee.

Last year, Mortimer was appointed the North Queensland Touch Football Game Development Officer for the northern area of North Queensland. Her wealth of experience will assist in developing touch football as she reaches out to all affiliates in her region.