A man convicted of child sexual abuse offences has been working as a referee for Touch Football NSW for over a decade, including junior matches, due to a legal loophole. Timothy McDougall, who was placed on the NSW child sexual abuse offender register in 2014 after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl, has officiated at regional, state, and national levels, including under-12 girls' teams.
McDougall was sentenced to a three-year good behaviour bond in 2012 for the offences. He remains on the child protection register until 2029 and has twice been convicted for failing to comply with reporting obligations. He also has multiple apprehended domestic violence orders against him, with the most recent granted in September 2024.
Touch Football NSW was informed of McDougall's convictions by a concerned member of the public in early 2025. However, the organisation cited a legal loophole: under NSW law, a working with children check is not required for umpires or referees if their work does not involve extended contact with children without other adults present.
Child safety advocates, including Professor Michael Salter from the University of NSW, argue the laws need strengthening. Salter questioned why McDougall's contact with children would not be reportable under the Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act, stating that such loopholes have been red flags in major child abuse reviews.
The NSW government passed new laws in September 2024 to strengthen the working with children check scheme, and the Office of the Children's Guardian is reviewing the framework. There is no suggestion that McDougall has reoffended while refereeing.
