Concord West Public School teacher, Isabella Mossin, will be in the thick of the action at the A League’s Women’s grand final between Melbourne City and the Wellington Phoenix at Melbourne’s AAMI Park on Saturday.

The 25-year-old is the youngest recipient of the A League Women’s Referee of the Year award, which has led to her becoming the youngest person appointed to referee the grand final.

Mossin is a former student of Concord West Public School and is in her third year of teaching at her alma mater. She also attended high school at Strathfield Girls High School and is a proud public-school advocate.

“Concord West is a lovely school. We have a great community of teachers,” she said.

Mossin started refereeing 11 years ago with the Northwest Sydney Football Association to earn some pocket money, while also playing football. She is in her fourth year of refereeing at the top level in the A League.

“It’s been a challenging progression to the A League,” she said.

“You have to be resilient when you make mistakes and the opportunities are limited. There’s always a set number of allocated referees.”

Mossin has a simple secret to her refereeing success.

“I enjoy the game. It’s also my player management skills. I let the game flow,” she said.

“I am consistent in my training, and I work well with the players on the field. I get the decisions right and I’m in the best position at the right time.”

Saturday’s grand final will be the first in an Australian women’s match to use Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.

Mossin has lofty ambitions in refereeing.

“I’d love to referee at a World Cup,” she said.

On the A League Facebook page, A-Leagues CEO Steve Rosich praised Mossin’s rapid development and impact.

“This award is testament to Isabella’s hard work and dedication to refereeing, and a great reflection of the next generation of referees coming through the system in Australia,” he said.

Football Australia Head of Referees Jon Moss also offered high praise.

“Isabella’s appointment as the Ninja A-League Women’s Referee of the Year is thoroughly deserved and reflects the outstanding progress she has made since her debut in 2023,” Moss said.

“This award and her appointment to the Ninja A-League Women Grand Final is also symbolic of the exciting future of female refereeing in Australia and the strength of the pathways now in place to support emerging talent.”