Hester, who was part of an OFC match official trio that took part in the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010, says the NZDF honour holds special significance after a number of years of dedicated service to both his day job in the Royal New Zealand Navy and his refereeing career.
“I have been very fortunate to have been recognised in a number of ways throughout my refereeing career,” Hester says.
“The NZDF Sporting Achievement award is very special to me as it is a recognition by my employer that I have been able to successfully balance my sporting aspirations with making a contribution to the NZDF and its outcomes.”
The 39-year-old made history in South Africa by becoming the first New Zealander to referee a senior FIFA World Cup match. The other members of his Oceania trio at the World Cup were fellow New Zealander Jan-Hendrik Hintz and Tonga’s Tevita Makasini.
Hester also won the award in 2007 after becoming a FIFA level official and is the first person to win the military honour twice. He believes his NZDF role has been an important factor in his development as a referee.
“The Navy has been a big part of my success in refereeing. A lot of my military skills have been transferrable onto the field of play and these have served me well as I came through the refereeing ranks,” he says.
“Refereeing requires a lot of sacrifice on an individual level but it also equally impacts on your personal and professional life. A supportive employer is key to enjoying success on the field.
“The Navy has been very supportive in providing me with opportunities where I could balance refereeing at an elite level and perform a number of important roles. This flexibility was instrumental in my ability to focus on the 2010 FIFA World Cup Referee Development Programme over two and a half years and was something I very much appreciated.”
Hester is currently officiating in the Lotto NRFL, a competition which involves the top club sides in the upper half of New Zealand’s North Island.
Story courtesy of Auckland Football Federation.
For more on Auckland football go to www.aucklandfootball.org.nz