Henk Thijssens (1937–2020) was a cornerstone of the football community in Canberra — a respected referee, coach, and club volunteer whose Dutch-Australian journey reflected a life shaped by resilience, service, and love for the game.
From Winterswijk to the world
Henk was born in 1937 in Winterswijk, a town in the eastern Netherlands near the German border. As a child, he played football in his hometown, developing a lifelong passion for the sport. After completing school, he joined the Dutch Merchant Navy, where he worked for 15 years — an experience that took him across the globe and instilled in him discipline, adaptability, and international perspective.
In the early 1970s, Henk migrated to New Zealand before moving to Australia in 1974, eventually settling in Canberra. There, he worked in the computer department of CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency — reflecting his technical aptitude and capacity for structured thinking, which would later benefit his work in football officiating and organisation.
Building football in the ACT
Henk’s involvement in Canberra football began in 1975, when his children began playing for Belconnen United (later Belnorth Football Club). Like many community-minded parents, he first took on team management and coaching roles.
However, when it became clear that local games were regularly short of referees, Henk took action — completing a refereeing course in 1977 and quickly stepping into the role himself. He soon became a familiar figure on ACT football fields, refereeing everything from junior matches to National Premier League games and over-45s competitions.
Henk also took up various leadership positions at Belnorth, including referees’ coordinator, club treasurer, and committee member, helping to professionalise and sustain grassroots football in the region. His methodical approach and calm authority earned him respect across the football community.
Lifelong recognition and influence
Henk’s dedication did not go unnoticed. He was made a Life Member of both Belnorth Football Club and Capital Football, the peak governing body for football in the ACT.
In 2017, Belnorth honoured his legacy by introducing the Henk Thijssens Golden Whistle Award, presented annually to the club’s best junior referee or game leader. This award continues to inspire young players and referees to take pride in officiating and community service.
Even into his 80s, Henk remained active in the game — refereeing senior matches, including games involving his sons, Rod and Richard. His commitment was all the more remarkable given his health challenges: he was undergoing dialysis treatment three times a week, yet never let it stop him from being on the pitch.
A quiet farewell
Henk Thijssens passed away peacefully in his sleep on 13 October 2020, aged 83. His passing was deeply felt throughout the ACT football community, which remembered him not only for his officiating skill and administrative reliability but for his humility, kindness, and quiet determination.
A Dutch-Australian life of service
From his early years playing football in Winterswijk, to a career at sea with the Dutch Merchant Navy, and finally to community-building in Canberra, Henk Thijssens lived a life of global movement and local impact.
His journey — from postwar Netherlands to the football fields of the ACT — is a reminder of the rich contributions that Dutch migrants have made to Australian community life. In refereeing, coaching, mentoring, and organising, Henk embodied the values of respect, responsibility, and fairness that lie at the heart of the beautiful game.
See also: Clogball
