Netball New Zealand has just named the umpire groups for two of the biggest domestic tournaments on the calendar – the 2025 NetballSmart Netball NZ Open Champs in Christchurch (10–13 September) and the NZ Secondary Schools Netball Champs in Porirua (30 September–3 October) – and our Northern Zone officials are right in the thick of the action.
These events bring together some of the best players, teams, and of course umpires from across the country, making them an exciting chance for officials to test themselves in a high-performance environment.
Flying the flag at the Open Champs
Congratulations to Matt Davis and Kian Manilal, who will be heading south to Christchurch to join the 20-strong umpire crew at the Open Champs. With four intense days of top-level netball, they’ll be front and centre helping keep the game flowing under pressure.
Northern presence at Secondary Schools Champs
The Secondary Schools tournament is always a highlight of the year – a showcase of the next generation of talent, both on and off the court. Northern Zone will be well represented with Logan Assink, Keyle Brown, Kian Manilal, Emily Stringer, and Greer Thomas all appointed to the whistle team in Porirua.
On top of that, Natasha Mouat has been named as a reserve umpire – another great recognition of Northern talent.
More than just umpiring
For our officials, these tournaments aren’t only about making the calls on court. They’re also opportunities to learn, connect, and grow, supported by NNZ’s national squad coaches. As NNZ’s National Technical Officials Manager Josh Bowring puts it, “For umpires, they are four days full of growth, teamwork, and learning, alongside the chance to put their skills to the test in high-pressure match environments.”
We’re proud to see our Northern Zone umpires continuing to thrive on the national stage and can’t wait to follow their journeys over the next month.
