World Netball has officially announced that Jordan Kiss and Zak Middleton have been elevated to the prestigious International Umpire Awardee (IUA) status.
This major career milestone represents the pinnacle of international netball officiating, transitioning both umpires from the International Talent Identified (ITID) tier into the elite global ranks. Under this new appointment, both Jordan and Zak’s IUA status will remain valid until May 2030.
The Road to the Elite Ranks
Reaching IUA status is no small feat—it requires years of rigorous domestic performance, high-pressure tournament experience, and a proven consistency in mastering the complex, fast-paced nature of modern netball.
- Jordan Kiss: Rising through the Netball NSW and Netball Australia pathways, Jordan has been a standout official in premier competitions like Suncorp Super Netball. Notably a proud Wiradjuri woman, she made history in 2023 as the first First Nations woman in New Zealand/Australia regional pathways to be awarded the All Australia (AA) Umpiring Badge. She was identified as an international talent (ITID) in August 2025 before making the swift jump to full IUA status less than a year later.
- Zak Middleton: Hailing from the Auckland Netball Centre in New Zealand, Zak initially entered the sport as a player before transitioning to the whistle. He steadily built an impressive resume, being named the National Netball League (NNL) Umpire of the Year in 2021 and officiating high-stakes domestic and trans-Tasman men’s matches. He was awarded ITID status in August 2024, putting in two years of stellar development to earn his international badge.
What IUA Status Means
The International Netball Umpire Award is a framework designed by World Netball to standardize and elevate officiating worldwide.
A Badge of Excellence: As full International Umpire Awardees, Jordan and Zak are now officially eligible to be appointed to the sport’s highest-profile global events, including the World Netball Championships, the World Youth Netball Championships, and the Commonwealth Games.
Over their four-year tenure leading up to 2030, they will undergo continuous assessment and a formal re-endorsement process to maintain their standing at the absolute peak of the game.
Congratulations to Jordan and Zak as they step into this exciting next chapter on the world stage!
