Chris Conti has made a significant contribution to the development, organisation and progress of football referees, association management and schools football in Canberra over the last 30 years. He has been involved in many facets of the game including refereeing, coaching and administration.
Chris has been a referee since 1984 and achieved one of his sports highest honours being appointed as a Life Member and an inductee into the ACT Football Hall of Fame. Chris’ key officiating achievements include:
- Secretary and then President of Soccer Canberra referees for over 10 years.
- Inaugural chair of the Referee’s Standing Committee
- ACT representative on National Referee Committees
- Referees coordinator and volunteer for international youth tournament, Kanga Cup for over 10 years.
- State Referees coach & appointment officer for 2 years
- Referee for local Premier League Grand Finals, Federation Cup Grand Finals and National Youth League matches
- Many high level referee appointments such as international friendlies, Olyroos and Matildas matches.
As an administrator Chris achieved the following:
- Acting CEO of Soccer Canberra leading to integration of 4 organisations eventually becoming Capital Football
- Officials director for SOCOG for the 2000 Olympic Games football matches held in Canberra
- Kanga Cup ambassador while touring with teams
- ACTAS team manager for seven years when the team competed in the National Youth League.
- Worked with elite coaches such as Mike Milovanovic (ACTAS), Ray Junna (AIS) and Chris Tanzey (Matildas).
As a former high school teacher, Chris became heavily involved with schools football:
- Chris worked with Australian schools teams and managed an international tournament in Canberra with teams from Ireland, Wales and New Zealand.
- Manager/Coach of the ACT Schoolboys team since 1978
- Organisation of ACT High Schools Tournament for 10 years
- Coordination & organisation of Primary Schools Blue Devils Cup (boys) and Canberra Eclipse Cup (girls) for 8 years
- National Sec for School Sport Australia 2001 – 2007
- National team manager for Australian schoolboys and/ or schoolgirls teams on more than 10 international tours – 7 of which were organized personally by Chris.
FOOTBALL
Born: 10 June 1948
Inducted: 2008
Associate Member