New Zealand Football is sad to hear of the sudden passing of respected referee Stephen Fletcher.

The Northern Football Federation (NFF) Life Member and former Auckland Football Federation (AFF) referee had been an integral part of the Auckland Referee Community for several decades.

He held many positions within the NRFL, the NFF Referee Advisory Group as well as stepping in as the NFF Referee Development Officer.

Ken Wallace, the NZ Football Referee Development Manager, was shocked by the news that he had lost a good friend and a highly regarded referee.

“Steve was a great guy who was always prepared to put himself out to help others," said Wallace. "He spent countless hours travelling, organising, coaching and testing referees as well as refereeing himself. As a former top player he had a good understanding of the game and was able to communicate well with players as long as they didn’t cross his line.  As someone who got onto the national league panel quite late in his refereeing life he was an inspiration to those many referees plugging away on local fields he in their forties. He was an ethical person, who was always ready to give his opinion.” 

Three years ago the Northern Football Federation gave Fletcher, a long-serving member of the football community, a life membership.

Fletcher had dedicated many years to football, including as a member and former chairman of the Northern Football Referee Advisory Group.

His contribution was recognised with Life Membership of Northern Football at the 2016 AGM.

Following the establishment of the New Zealand Football Federations in 2000, Fletcher and fellow life member Rudi Hoffmann established the Northern Football Referee Group. He went on to not only referee at least one match each week, but also provided coaching and assessment to other referees throughout the 16 seasons.

Fletcher was nominated by Kevin Turnock, representing the current Referee Advisory Group. At the time of his nomination, Turnock highlighted his dedication for the game and his willingness to officiate any match, any level, any time.

"Without exception, Stephen has had a positive impact on the development of every NFF referee over the last 16 years," he said. "He has always and still gives his time willingly to any referee wanting to improve their performance,” he told the Northern Advocate.

Fletcher, who delivered a stirring speech at the occasion in 2016, said he was humbled by the recognition from NFF. 

"I have enjoyed being part of the NFF referee community immensely. Over the years we have tried a lot of things to be different, to do things better that before," he said. "To see the new younger blood coming through learning from the experience of the older referees means we are providing a high quality service to the federation.

"For the young fellas, push on, there is plenty of opportunity. For the older fellas, you still play an important part in the game and in helping the new referee’s learn."

The Fletcher family are keen for the football community, and in particular referees (past and present), to help them celebrate “Fletch’s” life at the funeral which will be held on Monday 18 February, 3pm at Morrison’s Funeral Home, 220 Universal Drive, Henderson.

Article added: Sunday 17 February 2019