Netball New Zealand is pleased to announce the 2026 National Umpire Squad, a talented group of officials who will lead the game at the highest domestic level throughout the upcoming season.  

The National Umpire Squad for 2026 features 10 experienced and emerging umpires, all of whom have previously officiated in the ANZ Premiership environment. The group brings a powerful blend of international experience, high performance knowledge, and rising talent who continue to develop within New Zealand’s elite officiating pathway.

Collectively, the squad includes umpires who have represented New Zealand at pinnacle events such as Netball World Cups, Commonwealth Games, Netball World Youth Cups and major international test series, alongside consistent performers within the ANZ Premiership competition.

2026 National Umpire Squad

Angela Armstrong-Lush
Caleb Binns
Myron Elkington
Tania Fink
Gareth Fowler
Marlissa Howard
Zak Middleton
Ken Metekingi
Cory Nicholls
Kristie Simpson

The squad will again be supported by an experienced coaching and review team, ensuring strong development and performance throughout the season.

National Squad Coaches
Fay Meiklejohn
Kirsten Lloyd
David Pala'amo
Jan Teesdale

Performance Reviewers
Pam Clayton
Sheena Tyrrell
Colleen Bond

National Umpire Squad member Gareth Fowler spoke about the pride and responsibility that comes with being part of the group.

“I feel tremendously privileged to be selected in the National Umpire Squad for 2026,” Fowler said.

“We have a strong, talented and experienced group of umpires who have officiated all around the world at pinnacle events. That experience adds a huge amount of value to our game here in New Zealand.”

Fowler also highlighted the strength of the group environment within the squad.

“We work really hard as a team to do the right thing for our game and support each other to perform at our best. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of such a high performing group.”

Looking ahead to the season, Fowler says the evolving nature of the sport continues to make umpiring both exciting and challenging.

“2026 will be another exciting year as we continue to see our game evolve through rule adaptations, new combinations and exciting play that engages everyone involved in netball. Umpiring plays an important role in enabling athletes to compete safely and skilfully within the rules of our game. I’m really looking forward to seeing where the year takes us.”

Introducing the Kake Umpire Squad

Alongside the National Umpire Squad, Netball New Zealand is also introducing a new development programme for emerging performance officials, with the launch of the Kake Umpire Squad.

The Kake Umpire Squad replaces the previous NNZ Watchlist programme and represents the next generation of performance umpires and umpire coaches across Aotearoa.

Kake, pronounced kah-keh, is a te reo Māori verb meaning to climb, to ascend, or to rise. The name reflects umpires who are on a journey of development, steadily climbing toward the highest levels of performance and professionalism within New Zealand netball officiating.

The programme symbolises continuous learning, courage and resilience. It recognises officials who are willing to step forward, embrace challenge, and rise to the next level in their officiating careers.

Members of the Kake Umpire Squad are expected to uphold the values of Netball New Zealand, contribute positively to team environments, and demonstrate strong collaboration both on and off the court.

2026 Kake Umpire Squad
Lockie McLaren
Connor Pascoe
Susan Fitzgibbon
Jamie Smith

Training Partners
Hayes Andrew
Alannah Robinson
Keni Kingi
Kian Manilal

Kake Umpire Squad Coaches
Ann Hay
Sue James

Kake Umpire Squad Cadet Coach
Ceri Hills

All Kake Squad members and Training Partners will be actively involved alongside the National Umpire Squad throughout the 2026 Synergy Hair Netball League (SHNL) season, providing valuable high performance experience and exposure within the national officiating pathway.

Together, the National Umpire Squad and Kake Umpire Squad represent the strength, depth and future of officiating in New Zealand netball, ensuring the game continues to be supported by highly skilled and dedicated officials at every level.