Josh gave a warm, confident account of his rapid rise through the refereeing ranks in Touch. Already New Zealand’s top youth referee, he was one of just 15 officials selected for the Asia Pacific Open Touch Cup in Mudgee, Australia, and the youngest referee there at only 17.
Growing up in a family deeply involved in the sport, Josh spent summers at local modules in Palmerston North, learning the game from the sideline before realising he was “a better ref than player.” His international debut was a milestone—made even more special when his father, Touch NZ’s High Performance Director of Referees, presented him with his blazer.
Josh spoke about the steep learning curve of officiating alongside world‑class referees and managing adult players as a teenager. Highlights included refereeing a major Open Mixed semi‑final (NZ vs Philippines), usually reserved for the world’s elite. The experience boosted his confidence, resilience, and communication skills.
He hopes to build on this momentum, aiming for the Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup, national finals, and ultimately the 2028 World Cup in New Zealand and the 2032 World Cup aligned with the Olympics. He also wants to mentor younger referees so they can progress earlier than he did.
Josh closed by thanking Rotary for helping make his international debut possible—support he says he’ll never forget.