Our previous Chairperson, and International Umpire, Jono Bredin has earnt a spot in the New Zealand National rugby referee squad.

It is no suprise to us Jono has been selected in such a squad, being a very a meticulous, intelligent and hard working.

Whilst Jono has achieved this spot in rugby he still continues to give back to netball. He has moved towards coaching umpires at national and international level.

A huge well done to Jono, and no doubt in his words, the hard work starts now!

See below for more.

Stuff, 28 November, 2018

Jono Bredin completes whistle-blowing code switch from netball to rugby

Jono Bredin's whistle-blowing code switch is complete after his elevation to the New Zealand Rugby national referee squad.

Bredin was a netball umpire for 18 years, winning Netball New Zealand's umpire of the year in 2015 and 2016.

He umpired the 2018 Commonwealth Games final between England and Australia before deciding to call it a day and go out on a high. 

"I've had a great netball umpiring career and signed off at the top this year with the gold medal match and [ANZ] Premiership final," he said.

"I achieved everything I wanted to in the sport and have decided now is the time to throw all my effort into rugby refereeing and challenge myself outside of my comfort zone."

Bredin said he was encouraged to transition to rugby three years ago by Wellington-based professional rugby referee Ben O'Keeffe.

"I worked closely with Ben when I was umpiring. We did some training sessions together to share ideas and he encouraged me to have a crack at rugby. So far I've been struck by how helpful and accepting everyone is and how keen they are to help. The plan is to repay some of that faith."

He was joined in the 34-strong national squad by former Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and Chiefs' first-five-eighth, Daniel Waenga.

​Waenga recently retired from playing and joins fellow squad members Glen Jackson, Jamie Nutbrown and Rebecca Mahoney as former players turned referees.

The national squad referees officiate in a range of competitions, including Super Rugby (professional referees only), Mitre 10 Cup, Mitre 10 Heartland Championship, Farah Palmer Cup, Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under 19 tournament and other domestic fixtures.

NZR national referee manager Bryce Lawrence said with the increase in matches around New Zealand, particularly in the women's game, there was a need for more depth in the refereeing ranks.

"With the women's game growing at a fast-rate and other domestic competitions constantly increasing in quality, we need to build depth and internal competition within our national squad to ensure we have enough quality referees to match the volume of games being played."

New Zealand Rugby's 2019 national referee squad:

(* = new to the national squad ** = a comeback to the national squad)

Glen Jackson (Professional referee) - Bay of Plenty

Nick Briant (Professional referee) -  Bay of Plenty

Mike Fraser (Professional referee) - Wellington

Ben O'Keeffe (Professional referee) - Wellington

Paul Williams (Professional referee) - Taranaki

Brendon Pickerill (Professional referee) - North Harbour

Jamie Nutbrown - Canterbury

Angus Mabey - Auckland 

Richard Kelly - Taranaki

James Doleman - Otago

Cam Stone - Taranaki

Michael Winter - Waikato

James Munro - Canterbury

Tim Griffiths - Manawatu

Nick Webster - North Otago

Hugh Reed - Hawke's Bay

Tipene Cottrell - Hawke's Bay

Damien McPherson - Poverty Bay

Nick Hogan - Wellington

Rebecca Mahoney - Wairarapa Bush

Stuart Curran* - Otago

Jono Bredin* - Otago

Marcus Playle* - Auckland 

Chris Paul* - South Canterbury

Brittany Andrew* - Manawatu

Maggie Cogger–Orr* - Auckland 

Lauren Jenner* - Counties Manukau

Daniel Waenga* - Hawke's Bay

George Haswell* - Canterbury

Daniel Moore* - Canterbury

Larissa Collingwood* - Waikato

Monique Dalley* - Wellington

Vincent Ringrose** - Wellington

Richard Gordon** - Wellington