WaiBOP Football is pleased to announce the following appointments: 

• CK Kawana-Waugh (Referee Manager)
• Nadia Browning (Waikato Referee Youth Development Co-ordinator – part time)
• Paul Higgins (BOP Referee Youth Development Co-ordinator – part time) 

CK is one of New Zealand’s leading national and international level referees, while Nadia and Paul will be well known to the local football communities in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. 

“We have a dearth of senior referees at the moment and, if left unchecked, this threatens to have a majorly negative affect on the sport in our region,” said WaiBOP CEO, Karyn Walters.

“The appointment of CK, Nadia and Paul will help improve our capacity to provide opportunities and development pathways for referees in our region.” 

Nadia and Paul began with WaiBOP on Monday May 13, while CK begins on Monday May 20. 

Background – CK Kawana-Waugh 

CK’s life has been involved in and around football. He started playing at the age of 5 and continued playing until his late teens. In 2000 CK joined the Taranaki Referees Association, which meant playing Saturday mornings then officiating in the afternoon. 

He continued to progress through the levels and in 2006 had to decide between refereeing or playing. After deciding on a refereeing career he was promoted to the New Zealand Football National Panel in 2009.

Since then he has been a permanent referee in the New Zealand National League and has also been a referee in the New Zealand Futsal National League since 2012. 

CK is frequently involved in OFC competitions refereeing OFC Champions League, the 2013 Futsal Championships and other international competitions. He became a FIFA Football Referee in 2018.

Photo: Shane Wenzlick.