The country’s finest match officials will again feature on the international stage after confirmation that 11 referees and assistant referees have been selected on the FIFA Panel of International Referees for 2020.

All have previously featured on the list and New Zealand Football Referee Development Manager Ken Wallace says their re-selection is well-earned recognition for their hard work.

“This is a fantastic achievement for our top referees and assistant referees,” he says.

“They have worked hard over many years, putting in hours of training and development after their working day and fitting it all in around their family life. The amount of work and number of days they devote to improving their craft Is impressive,” he adds.

“They have all participated in Oceania tournaments, where they have performed creditably, while a few have experienced life as a professional referee at FIFA tournaments.”

Many of those on the panel have a busy period in store with Matt Conger, Nick Waldron, Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh, Anna-Marie Keighley, Mark Rule, Antony Riley, Gareth Sheehan and Isaac Trevis all having been appointed to officiate in the OFC Champions League, which kicks off in mid-February.

There are other exciting opportunities ahead with FIFA soon to announce those who will be involved in the selection process for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar while the Tokyo Olympics in July and August will likewise be a goal for some.

Waldron is now in his eighth year on the international panel and he is looking to build on his previous experiences on the world stage.

“It’s always an honour to be selected as it opens the door to take a whistle to the big matches,” he says.

“I went to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil last year and it’s where I want to be.”

New Zealand match officials on FIFA Panel of International Referees for 2020
(Year first added to the panel in brackets)

Male referees: Matt Conger (2013), Nick Waldron (2013), Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (2018)

Female referees: Nadia Browning (2017), Anna-Marie Keighley (2010)

Futsal Referees: Antony Riley (2016), Chris Sinclair (2014)

Male assistant referees: Mark Rule (2008), Gareth Sheehan (2019), Isaac Trevis (2019)

Female assistant referees: Sarah Jones (2014)

Article added: Thursday 23 January 2020