Capital Football are pleased to announce that Gareth Biggs and Aisha Strutt have been named a s the match referees for Saturday’s Hahn Australia Cup Qualifying Final, and Women’s Federation Cup Final, respectively.
Biggs will take charge of his first cup final as Queanbeyan City and Canberra Croatia meet for a place in the Australia Cup Round of 32, whilst Strutt will be in the middle as Belconnen United seek a three-peat of cup wins when they meet Canberra Croatia in the Women’ showdown.
“It’s an absolute honour to be appointed to referee the Hahn Australia Cup Preliminary Round Final,” Biggs said of his appointment. “This is my first time officiating this prestigious fixture, and it’s a truly humbling experience to follow in the footsteps of so many respected Canberra referees who have taken charge of this final before me.
“I’m incredibly grateful to my peers and referee coaches who have supported and encouraged me throughout my journey — their guidance has been instrumental in helping me reach this milestone.
“Refereeing the Men’s Federation Cup is something I genuinely enjoy, as it provides unique matchups that aren’t seen during the regular league season. This will be my seventh centre referee appointment in this year’s Cup, dating back to the opening rounds in early March with Canberra Juventus FC versus Narrabundah.
“I’m especially looking forward to match day on the King’s Birthday long weekend and am excited to be working alongside a fantastic team of officials. Congratulations to all of them on their well-deserved appointments, and to the referees selected for the Women’s Federation Cup Final as well.”
Strutt is a familiar face in the middle on the big occasion in the Women’s game, and this will be the official’s third Federation Cup Final in succession having held the whistle for the Belconnen United v Gungahlin United game in 2023 and the Belconnen United v Canberra Croatia finale in 2024.
“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to be in the middle of this fixture again,” Strutt said of her appointment. “I’d also like to congratulate my team on their appointments and acknowledge their hard work this season – I’m excited to work with them on Saturday.
“Finals appointments are always an honour and not something I take for granted. I’m grateful for all of the support I’ve received on and off the field over the years that has helped me get to this point – it’s definitely not what I had thought possible when I first took up the whistle!
“As Referees, we really do have the best seat in the house, and that rings true even more so in a final. I’d encourage anyone who is interested in Refereeing to get involved and give it a go. There are lots of opportunities and you never know where it might take you!”
Both matches take place on Saturday 7 June at McKellar Park with the Women’s Federation Cup Final commencing at 12:20pm and the Australia Cup Qualifying Final following at 3.30pm.
MATCH DETAILS
Saturday 7 June 2025
(McKellar Park)
12:30 – Canberra Croatia v Belconnen United
15:30 – Queanbeyan City v Canberra Croatia
Admission: $5 (adults), $2 (concessions), Free (under-14)
Official Souvenir Program: $2
BOTH MATCHES WILL BE STREAMED LIVE AND FREE ON THE CAPITAL FOOTBALL YOUTUBE CHANNEL
