In the early days of the Ku-ring-gai and District Soccer Association (KDSA), referees did not have an official regulative body. Alan Cartwright oversaw a group of referees comprising 10 men and 15 boys from the Mount Colah and Berowra clubs who only covered the northern area of the association. This caused controversy in the other clubs that were members of the Association. In 1967, Tom Nossal formed the Ku-ring-gai Hornsby Referees League which covered games with referees for the whole Association. This League later became the Ku-ring-gai and District Soccer Referees Association.
Tom was the Referee delegate to the Association from 1968 to 1969. This involved attendance at Protests, Disputes and Disciplinary Committee (PD&DC) hearings to clarify any rules of football to the Committee when required. In 1974, Tom stepped into the role of PD&DC chair when Max Garnsey needed to take leave of absence for family reasons.
Tom then became the Senior Vice President of the Association in 1971, a position he continued to hold in 1972 and 1973. 1971 was the first year that the KDSA attempted sectionalizing the various responsibilities within the Association and it was an unqualified success. This model continued for many years with the Association being run basically by volunteers and committees. During the time that Tom was Vice President, the Association grew in numbers as the New South Wales Amateur Soccer Federation granted approval for the merger of the KDSA and Northern Suburbs Soccer Association. In 1973, total team numbers exceeded 400. It was also during this time that the Ku-ring-gai Soccer Club (KSC) was trying to establish a licensed club for all to enjoy. In 1973 Tom was one of the KDSA’s nominees to the KSC. Unfortunately, this project never came to fruition and was abandoned in 1982.
Tom passed away in 1990, he was made a Life Member of the Association in 1974 making him the ninth Life Member of the KDSA. We thank Tom for his tireless efforts over the formative years for the Association.