2020 in focus: Referee Nicholas Hodgers

Water Polo Australia’s ongoing 2020 in focus series is all about getting to know the people at the heart of our great sport - the coaches, players, referees and volunteers who form part of the Australian water polo community.

Nicholas Hodgers has had a busy start to 2020, refereeing at both the KAP7 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, Australia v USA test matches and currently the OVO Australian Waterpolo League.

Hodgers work isn’t just limited to home soil, as he is also one of seven Australian referees a part of the FINA Referee list, and the President of Water Polo NSW.

But he hasn’t always found himself on the side of the pool, getting his first flavour for the sport in the water as a player.

“I was a player initially but as I started to get more involved, and a bit older, and I began doing more things around the club like coaching, managing and refereeing,” Hodgers said.

“Refereeing for me is all about contributing something back to the game and I think that’s what had kept me involved for so long,” he said.

While Hodgers enjoys the fun aspect of refereeing the game at a junior level, he said he also thrives off the challenge of refereeing on the international stage.

“The amount at stake at an international level is greater. I’ve done a lot of work at Junior and Youth World Championships and the outlay of the players is more significant,” Hodgers said.

“There’s a little bit more pressure but I’m there to do the right thing by the players,’ he said.

The New South Wales referee had one piece of advice for young referees coming through the pathway in Australia.

“Always try and remember that you’ll never get everything right and to have the intention to keep learning,” Hodgers said.

“If you can get that right, you’ll continue to love and stay involved with the game like I have.”