One of the most recognisable referees across the district, Jerry Bitas was recognised for his service to the Canterbury Referee’s Assocation (CRA) with a Cec Barlow Award at the recent Volunteer Recognition Dinner.
2022 has been a year of accolades for Bitas with the esteemed referee becoming only the second person to reach 50 Bill Brackenbury Cup appointments - along with Nicholas Asargiotis - when he took charge of the Balmain DFC v Enfield FC Preliminary Final in August.
Starting as a 33-year-old rookie in 2006, Bitas’ career has seen him take control of three Bill Brackenbury Cup grand finals, being awarded CRA’s Referee of the Year three times, State League Referee of the Year in 2014, State League Referee Most Improved in 2014, and the State League Special Award for Dedication in 2015.
Not only has Bitas been a prominent referee on the field, he also possesses great attributes as a sports administrator, serving in various roles for the CRA such as Assistant Secretary, Secretary, Appointments Officer and Branch Coach – which he still currently fulfils.
Bitas’ ongoing commitment and loyalty to the CRA has been second to none, as he regularly presents at the weekly training sessions, providing invaluable advice to members on the application of the laws of the game. His ongoing and long service was recognised by the CRA in 2013 where he was bestowed with Life Membership with the association.
While Bitas’ journey – specifically, his late start – to becoming a top referee is quite unorthodox in the professional ranks, it’s not uncommon for association-level referees to pick up the whistle for the first time later in life.
“I had always played for Hurlstone Park Wanderers from the age of six but around the age of 30 I had to stop playing due to an ankle injury,” explained Bitas.
“I considered taking-up either coaching or refereeing and in the end a friend of mine also stopped playing the same year I did, so we joined the Canterbury Referees Association together. Picking refereeing over coaching was definitely the right decision.”
Despite the late start, Bitas caught the refereeing bug the moment he ran onto the field.
“My first ever match was an U11s Division Five match in 2006 and I instantly knew that refereeing was for me.
“I loved the experience from the very start and immediately had hopes to excel and, despite my late starting age, wanted to see how far I could. But I didn't think that I'll be still running around 17 years later.”
Bitas’ high hopes and drive to improve himself saw him identified as a potential top level referee only three years into his journey.
“I was just running around in the lower leagues until I got assessed: it was a 21/1s match at Pratten Park for a 21/1s where there was nine players in one of the teams and it was a blowout. I was getting assessed by the late Jim Skuthorpe, not thinking much of it because it was a one sided game.
“But I when I received my assessment, Jim had written at the bottom: ‘good enough for the BBC’. So from that point on, I was getting appointed to Bill Brackenbury Cup matches on a regular basis and the next season I was given my first Bill Brackenbury Cup grand final and that inspired me once again to see how far I could go.”
As it turned out, Bitas would go quite far indeed – yet despite his lofty achievements, he continued to referee at association level: never turning him back on the competition that started his love of refereeing.
Of course, it was a two-way relationship which saw Bitas appointed with many high-profile matches in the Bill Brackenbury Cup and Grace Martin Trophy as well as all many other age groups and divisions – all culminating in his 50th appearance in the top tier men’s competition.
It’s referees like Jerry Bitas that ensure that association football can be run every week, and he is a deserving recipient of the Cec Barlow Award.
If you are interested in becoming a referee, email the CRA on registrar@canterburyreferees.org.au
Feature image credit: Photographed with Love
