Referee of the Month: Mitchell Smith
The CDSRA Referee of the Month features referees of different ages, levels, and backgrounds to reflect the diversity in our referee community and our association. Our August 2025 Referee of the Month is Mitchell Smith.
Questions & Answers:
Q: Current Referee Level & Highest level attained:
A: District (Regional upgrade)
Q: When did you begin, and what motivated you to start refereeing?
A: I started refereeing when I was 15 because a coach encouraged me to try it out and my mom wanted me to make some extra cash over the summer. After a few games I was hooked. I loved being involved in games and had gained a much better understanding of the game at the same time. I stopped for a few years but came back in 2021 with a stronger mindset and I have loved every minute since.
Q: What has been your most enjoyable game/memory of your referee career?
A: The most enjoyable game so far would probably be the league one “final” this year where I was an AR. It was an incredible game with so much intensity and involvement from the crowd. It felt like a milestone for me because I could see how much I had grown as a ref having the confidence to make decisions under so many external factors.
Mitch officiating a League 1 Match
Q: What do you love most about refereeing?
A: I love being able to give back to the game, without referees there would be no game. I also love the ref community, so many different personalities and outlooks on situations it’s a really unique environment. It has allowed me to be more open minded both on and off the field.
Q: When did you first become a CDSRA member and what encouraged you to join?
A: I think I became a CDSRA member in 2023, I was encouraged by other officials to join as they often hosted referee development sessions to grow your skills. After attending my first session I finally understood why I had consistently been recommended to join.
Q: What advice would you give to somebody just starting out refereeing?
A: My advice would be to focus on your own growth and don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Use each game as a learning opportunity and use the ref community around you to get better.
Q: What do you do outside of refereeing and what are some of your interests?
A: Outside of refereeing one of my biggest passions is travel. I love experiencing different cultures and new cuisines to hyper fixate on when I get home. I try to visit a new country every year and am currently locked in on Vietnamese cuisine after visiting in May this year.