Netball New Zealand’s National Umpire Squad will use its vast experience to take on new rule innovations in this year’s ANZ Premiership.
The 2025 Squad was announced by Netball New Zealand (NNZ) along with a National Watchlist Squad which features the country’s emerging talent – both squads eager to put their skills to the test in a packed calendar of preseason matches and domestic leagues.
NNZ National Technical Officials Manager Josh Bowring said it was exciting to see the depth of umpires throughout the country and the skills they would bring to the elite game in New Zealand.
“We have a great programme for our top umpires, reflected in our National Umpire Squad which is a group stacked with experience and consistency – all of our 2024 squad is returning this year,” he said.
“Looking ahead we have a talented group named in our National Watchlist Squad who are our next generation of high-performance umpires, and both squads will be supported by our amazing team of experienced national umpire coaches and performance reviewers.
“We want to see both groups continue to grow and thrive at the highest level of the game.”
Bowring said the 14-strong National Umpire Squad would embrace the new rule innovations in the ANZ Premiership and Synergy Hair Netball League including the much-anticipated two-point shot.
“This will only add another exciting layer to our umpires’ role on court and they will put these new innovations to the test from as early as the preseason matches.”
It will be a busy time for the National Watchlist Squad also, with individuals to officiate at national tournaments and taking part in a range of development opportunities aimed at building performance skills both on and off court.
The squad includes newcomers Keni Kingi (WBOP) and Susan Fitzgibbon (South) following standout performances last year, joining seven other emerging umpires who return for another season.
“The National Watchlist Squad is really exciting as these are a dynamic group of umpires who have been earmarked to watch. They will be working on fitness and tactical awareness along with mindset and decision-making. It is truly a full performance experience and I’m looking forward to watching their progress over the season,” Bowring said.
2025 National Umpire Squad
(ANZ Premiership and NNL match count included)
- Hayes Andrew – ANZP: 0 | NNL: 6
- Angela Armstrong-Lush – ANZC/ANZP: 132 | NNL: 1
- Caleb Binns – ANZP: 0 | NNL: 17
- Myron Elkington – ANZP: 37 | NNL: 31
- Tania Fink – ANZC/ANZP: 48 | NNL: 15
- Gareth Fowler – ANZC/ANZP: 106 | NNL: 7
- Marlissa Howard – ANZP: 8 | NNL: 19
- Lockie McLaren – ANZP: 0 | NNL: 12
- Sasha McLeod – ANZP: 65 | NNL: 16
- Ken Metekingi – ANZP: 77 | NNL: 12
- Zak Middleton – ANZP: 16 | NNL: 51
- Cory Nicholls – ANZP: 44 | NNL: 31
- Alannah Robinson – ANZP: 0 | NNL: 10
- Kristie Simpson – ANZC/ANZP: 147 | NNL: 1
Coaches: Fay Meiklejohn, Jan Teesdale, David Pala'amo & Kirsten Lloyd
Performance Reviewers: Pam Clayton, Sheena Tyrrell & Colleen Bond
2025 National Watchlist Umpire Squad
(Region listed)
- Kian Manilal (Northern)
- Connor Pascoe (WBOP)
- McKenzie Northcott (WBOP)
- Amelia Wheeler (Central)
- Hayley Taylor (Central)
- Jamie Smith (Mainland)
- Rebecca Reside (Mainland)
- Keni Kingi – new to squad (WBOP)
- Susan Fitzgibbon – new to squad (South)
Coaches: Ceri Hills, Kelly Herbert, Sue James, Cory Nicholls & Kristie Simpson