Top referee Jarred Gillett quits A-League to study and ref in England

Top referee Jarred Gillett, who has quit the A-League to study and ref in England, could be breaking new ground.

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Jarred Gillett was refereeing the Mariners last season when one of their players burst into the box, was slightly clipped, but stayed on his feet in pursuit of the ball.

A moment later, Gillett told the player that “at least next time you go down I’ll know you really were fouled”, and got a thumbs up in response.

It’s moments like that which show his resignation to pursue his academic career in the UK is taking the best referee out of the A-League. That’s the judgement of the players.

“I don’t mind him at all,” says a player based in Sydney who isn’t backward in engaging refs. “You can actually talk to him.”

But it might not be a surprise that Gillett - who referees his final A-League game on Friday night in Brisbane - has a certain empathy with the players, because that “academic” career is actually changing the lives of children with cerebral palsy.

Referee Jarred Gillett during last season’s A-League grand final between Newcastle and Melbourne Victory. Picture: Getty Images

Last December Mr Gillett became Dr Gillett with the completion of a PhD specialising in evaluating therapies to improve the function of children with the condition — all while being a full-time referee since 2015, complete with FIFA and AFC international duties most of the year round.

Widely published in academic circles, Gillett also found time to speak at conferences thanks to his work at the Queensland Children’s Hospital Gait Laboratory.

It’s that area of expertise that is taking him to Liverpool John Moores University in the northwest of England, working there and at the well-known Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to continue his research — and also continuing his refereeing in the Championship and potentially the Premier League.

Jarred Gillett gets his point across after he sent off Wanderers goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic in December. Picture: Getty Images

Referees making global transfers can probably be counted on the fingers of no hands, which is why Gillett is unsure of what his FIFA future holds beyond this season.

But in both parts of his life, the prospect of a new challenge proved too alluring to turn down.

“The real challenge I’ve enjoyed every week, in doing more than 150 games in the A-League and a few grand finals, has been building that rapport with the players,” Gillett said.

“I’ll miss that, but equally in England the challenge is to develop it there and earn the trust of the players in a different country.

“It’s uncharted waters in a sense because I’m not aware of officials who have switched countries like this.

Referee Jarred Gillett gives Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat a yellow card in February. Picture: AAP

“It’ll be quite different to be able to referee a game and in most cases be able to drive home afterwards, not spend a whole day getting home.

“Certainly I’ll have mixed emotions leaving the A-League, but the opportunity to pursue both my academic and football careers in a different environment was too good to pass up.”

He’s used to the juggling act by now, having become a full-time referee halfway through completing his PhD and effectively completing it in his spare time.

“It took a bit longer than usual, but having something completely away from football to focus on a couple of days a week has been very helpful,” Gillett said.