Developing the Future of New Zealand’s Soccer Officiating

Pathways for Aspiring Referees: Building Skills and Confidence

In the heart of New Zealand’s soccer scene, efforts to foster young referees are gaining momentum, with development programs that parallel the nurturing of player talent. Youth referee academies are now a common feature in tournaments, providing these future officials with real-world experience and expert guidance to sharpen their skills and build resilience.

One notable example took place in October during the Weir Rose Bowl tournament, hosted at St Peter’s School in Cambridge, New Zealand. This annual event, organized by WaiBOP Football, brings together over 50 teams for competitive 9v9 matches across various age groups, including U-12 Mixed, U-12 Girls, U-13 Mixed, and U-14 Girls. Designed as a player development tournament, the Weir Rose Bowl now also serves as an essential training ground for young referees.

A Referee Academy Led by FIFA’s Finest

At this year’s tournament, WaiBOP Football’s referee academy was led by none other than OFC and FIFA Referee Anna-Marie Keighley, serving as Referee Development Officer. Known for her officiating roles in three FIFA Women’s World Cups (2015, 2019, and 2023), Keighley was joined by nine referee coaches, including OFC referee Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh and Australia’s A-League referee Beth Rattray. Together, they provided invaluable mentorship to 26 youth referees from Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty.

Spanning four days, the academy combined group and individual training sessions with comprehensive feedback loops for young referees, all of whom had prior refereeing experience and, in most cases, a Level 1 qualification. Many participants also officiated in local community matches, often through regional referee academies in Hamilton and Tauranga.

On-Field Learning and Real-Time Feedback

The academy’s training began with on-field sessions before the tournament’s kickoff, preparing referees for the high demands of their role. During the tournament, each match was overseen by youth referees, with coach supervision from a central observation point. Coaches delivered targeted feedback during half-time and after matches, allowing referees to implement adjustments in real-time.

This rotation of coaching perspectives provided referees with diverse insights, as Blake Stevens from Katikati noted: “It’s been really good to get feedback from different referee coaches over the weekend. The review sessions we did each night were helpful – it really helped me understand how to improve quickly.”

Daily group coaching and review sessions further bolstered the learning experience, with coaches reviewing key moments from matches to deepen young referees’ understanding of decision-making, positioning, and match control.

The Demands and Rewards of Officiating

Being a soccer referee is a demanding task that requires rapid decision-making, comprehensive rule knowledge, and emotional resilience. Keighley highlighted these challenges, as well as the importance of creating a supportive training environment. “Referees often don’t get the same kind of support that players do,” she remarked. “Events like the Weir Rose Bowl give young referees a chance to build their confidence and skills in a safe, encouraging space.”

Keighley’s FIFA career has shaped her approach to mentoring, focusing on cultivating communication, authority, and match management skills beyond mere rule enforcement. “It’s about more than just knowing the rules – it’s about learning how to manage a game, communicate with players, and maintain authority without being overbearing,” she said.

Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh, who serves as WaiBOP Football’s Referee Manager, echoed these sentiments. “Our aim is to ensure young referees, like the players, have a supportive space where they can develop their abilities and take ownership of their growth,” he explained. “Mistakes are part of the learning process, and it’s through events like this that young referees get the chance to learn and improve in a setting that’s both high pressure and supportive.”