Referee Isabella Mossin has been appointed as the lead match official for the Ninja A-League Grand Final having also been crowned Referee of the Year.
Mossin is the youngest recipient of the award in the league’s history, and is recognised
for an outstanding season.
Having made her debut in the Ninja A-League in 2023, Mossin has quickly risen through the ranks, becoming one of the top referees in the competition featuring in 14 matches this season leading with composure and strong decision-making.
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Mossin’s season has also been recognised by Football Australia by being appointed
the Referee for the Ninja A-League 2026 Grand Final on Saturday between Melbourne
City and Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park.
Mossin will be joined by an all-female officiating team consisting of Lucy Hungerford (Assistant Referee 1), Claire Green (Assistant Referee 2) and Fourth Official, Caitlin Williams.
As announced at the beginning of the Finals Series, the Ninja A-League 2026 Grand Final will also be the first Australian domestic women’s fixture to implement Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.
VAR will be led by last season’s Referee of the Year, Casey Reibelt with Lara Lee as the Assistant VAR, marking another landmark occasion in women’s football in Australia.
The Ninja A-League Women Referee of the Year is awarded to the referee who is judged as the best referee for the regular season, by Football Australia Head of Referees, Jon Moss, and A-Leagues CEO, Steve Rosich.
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“This award is testament to Isabella’s hard work and dedication to refereeing, and a great reflection of the next generation of referees coming through the system in Australia,” said A-Leagues CEO, Steve Rosich.
“On behalf of everyone at the A-Leagues, we’d like to congratulate Isabella and wish her and the wider officiating team the best of luck on Saturday as they take to the field for the Ninja A-League 2026 Grand Final.”
Football Australia Head of Referees, Jon Moss said: “Isabella’s appointment as the Ninja A-League Women’s Referee of the Year is thoroughly deserved and reflects the outstanding progress she has made since her debut in 2023.
“At just 25 years of age, she has consistently demonstrated composure, leadership,
strong decision-making and the ability to perform under pressure in some of the biggest matches in the competition.
“This award and her appointment to the Ninja A-League Women Grand Final is also symbolic of the exciting future of female refereeing in Australia and the strength of the pathways now in place to support emerging talent.
“Isabella should be extremely proud of this achievement, and we are confident she
and her team will represent the game with distinction on one of the biggest stages of
the season.”
Chair of Football Australia Referee Committee, David Elleray said: “Many congratulations to all those appointed for this historic occasion which shows the significant growth and progress in women’s refereeing in Australia.
“Having someone refereeing their first Ninja A-League Women Grand Final at the age of 25 years should inspire all girls and young women referees (and potential referees) and show them that age is not a barrier to talent being recognised within Football Australia refereeing.
“I wish Isabella, her colleagues and both teams an entertaining, happy and memorable Grand Final in Melbourne.”
Mossin will be presented with her award at the conclusion of the Ninja A-League 2026
Grand Final on Saturday at AAMI Park.
