Michael Hester

Mike Hester
Full nameMichael Hester
Born2 May 1972
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Other occupationNaval officer
Domestic
YearsLeagueRole
2004–2011NZFCReferee
2004–2005NSW Premier LeagueReferee
2008–2011A-LeagueReferee
International
YearsLeagueRole
2007–2011FIFA listedReferee

Michael Hester (born 2 May 1972 in Sydney, NSW, Australia), is a former New Zealand association football referee in the A-League.[1] Holder of a FIFA international license, he has participated at the highest level, officiating at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Biography

Hester has been a NZFC certified referee since 2004 and gained his FIFA international qualification in January 2007.[2] He refereed some games in the 2008 Olympics,[3][4] and has also refereed matches in the Oceania qualification group for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[5]

He was also appointed as a referee for the 2009 FIFA Under 17 World Cup in Nigeria.[6]

Hester was included on the short list to officiate at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa along with fellow New Zealand referee Peter O'Leary,[7] both of whom were confirmed in the final 30 officials to take charge at the finals.[8] On 12 June 2010 he refereed the FIFA World Cup game between Greece and the Korean Republic.[9] Hester blew the final whistle on his refereeing career at the end of the 2011 New Zealand winter season to focus on his career in the New Zealand Royal Navy.

Personal life

He has worked, besides his football career, as a naval officer in Auckland, and played both Rugby union[10] and football before turning to officiating.[11]

Honours

References

  1. ↑ CUP 2010: Graham Poll Index – Sportsmail's referee expert assesses the officials at the tournament
  2. ↑ Michael Hester
  3. ↑ "Match report – USA vs Netherlands". FIFA. 10 August 2008.
  4. ↑ "Biography – Michal Hester". World Referee. 25 October 2008.
  5. ↑ WorldReferee.com – referee – Michael Hester – bio
  6. ↑ Match report, Mexico Switzerland
  7. ↑ "Refs O'Leary and Hester on FIFA World Cup short list". Oceania Football Confederation. 25 October 2008.
  8. ↑ "NZ referees selected for football World Cup". NZPA. 6 February 2010.
  9. ↑ "NZ ref makes history". Sportal NZ. 12 June 2010.
  10. ↑ "Michael Hester: Referee". FIFA. 12 June 2010.
  11. ↑ 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa, Referees Statistical Kit 3
  12. ↑ RNZN – NZDF Sports Awards