Referee appointments announced for 2021 Australian Waterpolo League

Water Polo Australia National Referees Coordinator Phillip Bower is pleased to present the referee and technical delegate panels that will officiate the 2021 Australian Waterpolo League (AWL).

Nine referees and seven technical delegates will be on pool deck as the AWL heads to Brisbane this year, in a condensed format designed to reduce impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Bower said: “We had a panel of 15 referees in 2020, and it was difficult to narrow that list down to just nine, but I’m confident with the people selected, and with a mix of experience and youth, the panel will be ready for anything that is thrown at them.

“I think the condensed format presents a unique opportunity for the referees, it’s going to be like a World Cup or World Championships. They will all be staying together, there will be plenty of opportunities for them to give each other feedback, and to receive feedback from our panel of technical delegates as well.

“It’s going to be a great learning experience for all of them, and will also give the likes of Nicola Johnson, our Tokyo Olympic referee, some good tournament experience,” he said.

The finals of the AWL will be run in conjunction with the 2021 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, which also presents another opportunity for referees.

“We’re hoping that our senior AWL referees will be able to stay in Brisbane and mentor the next generation of referees during the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships,” Bower said.

“I’d also like to acknowledge that our AWL level referees who were unsuccessful in being appointed this year, will have first preference of officiating at the National Championships which are set to be held later this year,” he said.

Water Polo Australia would like to congratulate the following officials on their appointments: