The Green Shirt Is Back for 2025

The Green Shirt programme, launched by New Zealand Football (NZF) in 2021 with support from the Football Foundation, aims to increase the number of referees supporting community football, through the delivery of Level 1 training, removing cost barriers through the provision of essential equipment, and uniforms, and partnering new referees with experienced mentors who can guide them through their early on-field experiences.

Following its success in 2024, the Foundation has renewed its funding for 2025, ensuring continued support for new referees coming into the game.

One of the main objectives of the programme is to reduce sideline abuse directed at referees, which often discourages young volunteers from continuing. The green shirt identifies new referees, so players and coaches can give them time and space to make decisions, develop skills and build confidence.

“It helped protect me as a referee to operate in a safe space,” said one participant in the 2024 Green Shirt Feedback Survey.

There is a commitment to supporting the development of junior referees, building their confidence from an early stage and offering support beyond their Level 1 certification. Hunter, a referee from Mainland Football said, “I am level one at the moment and I’m looking to get my level two next season. Hopefully I’ll get put on men’s national league games and eventually getting to become a professional referee”. This support system is crucial in ensuring the growth of skilled and self-assured referees.

In 2024, a total of 248 participants completed the NZF Referee Football/Futsal Level 1 Award—more than double the annual target of 120. This continues the strong growth seen since the programme began, with 175 participants in 2021 (all male), 246 in 2022, and 374 in 2023. Of the 2024 participants, 92 made use of the Green Shirt Programme, with women making up 32%, well above the female playing population in NZ of 23%, which has been great to see. At Central Football, targeted recruitment from girls’ schools is helping close the gap, by ensuring opportunities are available and known. The initiative has also contributed to a 44% increase in community referees, and a 29% increase in active female referees during 2024.

“The green shirt helped me feel more comfortable reffing in my first couple of months [...] I don't think I ever got abuse from players or people on the sideline,” said Hunter, a Green Shirt referee from Mainland Football.

Four of the six federations took part in 2024—Northern Region, Central Football, Mainland Football, and Southern Football. Capital Football is set to join in 2025, expanding the programmes reach and supporting a more unified national effort to foster a safe, supportive environment for young referees, supporting their development into the next generation of officials.