Assigning referees in New Zealand is no small task. From rugby and netball to basketball, football, and beyond — each sport comes with its own demands, crew structures, and regional logistics. Whether you're handling weekly fixtures or high-volume tournaments, the role of the assignor is often stretched thin by tight schedules, overlapping commitments, and limited tools.
That’s why having a dependable assigning platform isn’t just helpful — it’s foundational.
In 2025, Refr Sports stands out as the best assigning software for sports referees across Aotearoa. Built for the pace and complexity of officiating operations, Refr makes it easier to manage referees, coordinate schedules, and respond to real-time changes — all within one centralized system.
Assigning isn't just about filling slots. It’s about clarity, flexibility, and communication. Refr was designed with these core principles in mind — and with input from real assignors who needed a solution that actually fit how they work.
Here’s what Refr brings to the table:
Whether you’re scheduling for school competitions in Christchurch or club tournaments in Auckland, Refr gives you the tools to do it without the stress.
One of the biggest challenges in New Zealand is geographic spread. Many officials work across multiple towns or even regions, and assignors often need to balance coverage while reducing travel and fatigue.
Refr simplifies this with distance-based filters, availability tracking, and regional views — giving you more flexibility to match the right referee with the right game. You can also assign in bulk, reuse crew templates, and coordinate across multiple assignors without losing clarity.
It’s all designed to reduce time spent managing logistics and increase time spent focusing on the game-day experience.
How many times has a game gone uncovered because of a missed email or forgotten confirmation? With Refr, that risk is virtually eliminated.
Referees receive assignments, reminders, and changes directly through the platform. You’ll know when someone’s confirmed, when a slot’s still pending, and when action is needed — all in real time. And if a turnback happens, you can act immediately with full visibility into your available options.
Clear communication. No missed messages. Fewer surprises.
Refr works across the entire spectrum of New Zealand’s sports landscape — from grassroots and school leagues to national competitions. It handles solo officials just as easily as it handles full officiating crews, and gives you the structure to manage part-time, casual, or certified referees within the same system.
It’s versatile, scalable, and designed to grow with your operation — no matter where you start.
Assigning sports referees in New Zealand demands a platform that’s as sharp, responsive, and organized as the people doing the work. Refr Sports is that platform.
With intuitive scheduling, real-time communication, and unmatched operational flexibility, Refr makes referee assigning feel less like crisis management — and more like the organized system it should be.
Ready to level up your assigning this season? Refr is ready when you are — and built for the way New Zealand sport gets done.
