Officials

Referee Development Pathway - We would like to outline the TWP Referee Development Pathway so everyone understands how our referees progress and the opportunities available at each level

New Referee - Training Stage

All new referees begin by completing 10 voluntary hours.

This stage focuses on learning the basics of officiating, building confidence, and understanding game flow.

Upon completion of their 10 hours, referees graduate to Junior Referee.

Junior Referee – College age (Paid Role)  

Junior referees are paid for their work and can:

- Referee Flippa Ball games  

- Manage table duty  

 Junior referees will graduate to Competition Referee once they complete the WPNZ Local Referee Course and are assessed ready to progress.

Competition Referee - College age & Adult (Paid Role)  

Competition referees can:

- Referee Flippa Ball  

- Referee Intermediate B & C Grade  

- Be considered for U12s TGA Tournament appointments  

- Officiate at AIMS (table duty)

Senior Club Referee - College age & Adult (Paid Role)  

This referee level recognises officials who have developed strong game management skills but are not yet WPNZ graded.

Senior club referees can:

- Referee Flippa Ball  

- Referee Intermediate League (A, B & C Grade)  

- Referee College League  

- Officiate any local tournaments

This level provides an important stepping stone before pursing WPNZ grading,

Graded Referee (Paid Role) 

This referee has completed the referee qualification by WPNZ.  

Graded referees can:

- Referee Flippa Ball  

- Referee Intermediate League (A, B & C Grade)  

- Referee College League  

These referees are considered competent to officiate at any local/national tournaments.

Pool Controller - (Paid Leadership Role)

This is a paid position offered to referees (but not restricted to referees) who demonstrate:

- Ability to set up and pack down the pool  

- Confident in communicating with adults  

- Independent problem-solving skills  

This role involves overseeing pool operations and supporting other referees during competition.

We are proud of our referee development pathway and the opportunities it provides young officials to grow in confidence, leadership, and responsibility.

WPNZ Referee Development Framework

WPNZ has redeveloped the WPNZ Referee Development Framework in 2025. This new framework is a comprehensive guide to becoming, maintaining and developing referees across New Zealand.

To see how a current qualification transfers to the new framework, see details here.

Local Referee

All WPNZ members can sit the Local Referee course and exam online. These can be accessed via your Friendly Manager account. Follow the steps in this useful guide to sit this course and exam.

C-Grade Referee

All WPNZ members are encouraged to complete their C-Grade Education. The education modules can be accessed via your Friendly Manager account for self-directed learning, or can be completed during an in-person C-Grade course, held throughout the year around New Zealand. To access the exam, you must attend an in-person C-Grade exam. Follow the steps in this useful guide to register for the C-Grade Referee education modules.