Q&A with referee Nicola Johnson

Queensland referee Nicola Johnson has officiated at the highest level internationally and has a vast knowledge of water polo. WPA caught up with Nicola to get the unique insights she has accumulated as part of her job which has one of the best views in the game.

1. HOW DID YOU ADJUST FROM THE FINA WORLD LEAGUE SUPER FINALS TO THE FINA WORLD CUP THIS YEAR WHEN THE NEW RULES WERE IMPLEMENTED?
   
   I was a little worried and thought that the game would have been quite different to referee but the transition wasn’t as hard as I first thought.
    
2. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NEW RULES?
   
   I like the new rules they are logical and more understandable for spectators. It also speeds up the game and requires the players to be more alert in all situations and therefore the smarter players can take advantage of their opposition if they are not switched on to the possibilities with the new rules. All of the rules are good, I am not sure that the flying substitute has been used to its full potential as coaches are still adjusting to the new rules as well.
    
3. HOW DO YOU TRAIN FOR THESE MAJOR INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS?
   
   As we are so far away from the rest of the world, we don’t have a lot of international games in Australia so the only way to prepare for these tournaments is by doing lots of club and state games as well as training games leading into the competition so that you are prepared as best you can for the international event. It is also helpful when there are lead up games to help get you into the swing of international games before a major tournament.
    
4. WHEN IS YOUR OFF SEASON & WHAT DOES AN OFF SEASON LOOK LIKE FOR AN OFFICIAL?
   
   For me as an international referee, there is no off season as we have our competitions, local, state, national and OVO AWL from October to May and then we head straight into the international season from May until September when we travel with various Australian teams to different international events which is definitely a highlight of my year.

   WPA recently announced new courses available on The LearningPool for officials as well as the opportunity for current officials to receive Recognition of Prior Training ahead of the inaugural Australian Youth Water Polo Championships. Introductory offers across all courses ends 31 December 2018.

5. WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED WHICH HAS HELPED WITH YOUR REFEREEING?
   
   There are probably two pieces of advice that have stuck with me. Firstly, that you are there to facilitate the game, the players are to be the centre of attention, not the referee. Secondly, it's a fact that coaches are passionate about water polo, their job and their team and you can't take what they say personally because part of their job is to try and influence the decisions that you make.
    
6. TO THE YOUNG, ASPIRING REFEREES IN AUSTRALIA WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU PASS ONTO THEM?
   
   You must enjoy what you do, or don’t do it. You need to have broad shoulders and be able to accept criticism, and compliments, and learn from those around you who have more experience and can help you develop into the referee that you want to be. We all make mistakes, as do the players and coaches, but you need to learn from them and move on.
    
7. WHERE WAS YOUR INTERNATIONAL REFEREE DEBUT?
   
   My first major international competition was the 2007 FINA World Women's Junior Water Polo Championships in Portugal when Australia won Gold.
    
8. WHAT IS THE BEST COUNTRY TO TRAVEL TO FOR REFEREEING?
   
   I love travelling with Aussie teams when they head off to international events, I am humbled and very thankful for the opportunity and would welcome any place but if I had a choice, I would say Hungary, Spain and the USA.
    

Being an official can provide great fulfillment while also taking you around the world as part of this global game. It is a critical role which ensures games can be played successfully and in the right spirit. Start your training to become an official TODAY! Visit The LearningPool and see how you can start your new role in water polo.