Competition

As part of the SNZ Technical Advisory Committee’s (TAC) ongoing assessment of the procedures associated with officiating, the committee has reviewed the National Referee Grading System currently operating in NZ. 

Based on the unanimous feedback received, SNZ has decided to implement a competency based assessment system for:

• Referees
• Starters
• Judge of Stroke

The process will include:

• Appointment of Assessors by the TAC for each National Competition
• Notification by SNZ to those being assessed  - 1 month prior
• At the beginning of the meet assessors will talk with the officials being assessed to explain the assessment further and answer any questions.
• The official will be assessed for 2 sessions (more if required) on the criteria shown below.
• A short informal feedback session will take place between the assessor and the official after the finals session or the following day.

The main aim of the system is to help improve the performance of all officials by educating and providing positive constructive feedback in a transparent manner in relation to the duties required as a Referee, Starter or Judge of Stroke. Assessors will also act as mentors where officials can ask questions in friendly informal situations.

At each competition, Assessors will assess officials against the competencies required for each qualification as shown in the Assessment document below.

This system made its debut at the 2007 Spring Competition.