Strebre Delovski, one of the Hyundai A-League’s most experienced and well respected referees, has today announced he will retire from active refereeing at the conclusion of the Hyundai A-League 2016 Finals Series.

Having made his Hyundai A-League debut in 2005, the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 Referee of the Year felt this was the right time to make a decision on his future.

“After 26 years and 140 Hyundai A-League matches I feel the time is right to hang up the whistle and make way for other referees to fulfil their dreams,” said Delovski.

“I have loved every minute of this amazing journey and I will miss the comradery amongst the match officials as well as the buzz and atmosphere of walking out at the start of a match in a packed stadium.

“There have been many personal highlights but the three which stand out would have to be receiving my FIFA badge in 2009, refereeing the Hyundai A-League 2010 Grand Final and being voted as the referee of decade by the PFA in 2015.”

In additional to the Hyundai A-League, Delovski has also controlled a number of high profile AFC Champions League and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches over his impressive refereeing career. He added he is excited about passing on this knowledge and experience to the next generation of referees.

“Refereeing is something which I am very passionate about so staying involved to pass on my experience and knowledge is important. Recently I was appointed as Referees Coach in the Illawarra region by Football South Coast so my involvement post retirement has already started.”

FFA Director of Referees Ben Wilson paid tribute to the outstanding contribution Delovski had made to football over his career.

“Strebre has had a long and distinguished refereeing career in both the Hyundai A-League and on the international FIFA panel. His good humour and friendly demeanour meant he was very well respected by his peers and the players.

“I wish Streb well in retirement and I look forward to his continued involvement as a referee coach.”

Delovski has been appointed to Friday’s Hyundai A-League 2016 Semi Final between Adelaide United and Melbourne City and remains in contention to referee the Hyundai A-League 2016 Grand Final.