A Power to aim high

The 17-year-old is still studying Year 12 at St Mary’s College in Wollongong, but has set herself lofty goals to be out in the middle officiating elite women’s domestic games in the not too distant future.

“W-League is my five year goal,” Cabassi-Power says.

A member of the Football NSW Referee Academy, Cabassi-Power has already put herself in a position to reach her target. But she realises how hard she will have to work to achieve it.

It’s something she has become accustomed to as she juggles commitments at the Academy with her HSC.

“It’s very hard to juggle but while I take my schooling very seriously, it has been the best thing to keep me motivated,” Cabassi-Power said.

“It has given me a balance and has done a lot for me to keep on top of deadlines.”

This is the second year Cabassi-Power has been part of the Referee Academy where she is provided with speed and agility training, a nutritionist, a sports behavioural specialist and access to national and international coaches as well as A-League referee mentors.

“It’s been going great,” Cabassi-Power said.

“Prior to the start of the season we pretty much had training programs focusing on fitness. That has been the major focus.

“Now we have moved into the season, I travel to Sydney once or twice a week for sprint training and also technical sessions. Those sessions involve technical elements of the game, with things like positions.

“It is nice to be a second year in there because I can always see my appointments getting to a higher level, which is challenging me more.”

Cabassi-Power has already officiated NPL NSW Women’s 1 fixtures this season.

She will referee at the National Championships later this year, where she will get the chance to be picked up as part of the National Talent Pool. The Pool provides a pathway for referees to officiate W-League, A-League and NYL fixtures.