KAESLER APPOINTED AS WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS REFEREE

Queenslander Ash Kaesler has been appointed as the Australian referee for the World Aquatics Championships taking place in Doha from 2-18 February.

Kaesler's selection for the major event came as a surprise to the experienced official who refereed the gold medal match at the World Aquatics U20 Women’s World Championships late last year.

“Being selected for the World Championships was pretty surreal to be honest,” said Kaesler.

“As a referee you always hope for those higher honours but you never expect it. There are a lot of great referees here in Australia so to be selected to go to Doha as the Australian referee is an honour and definitely a surprise.

“I was really lucky to have women like Nicola Johnson and Megan Varlow to look up to when I was coming through, so this is just another step in that journey of representing female referees, representing Australian referees and I suppose creating a pathway a little bit,” she said.

For Kaesler, having Australian referee representation on the international stage could not be more important.

“Even just two years ago, for Australians to be invited to referee at the World Championships, it was massive,” she said.

“Normally it was just a formality because we had teams going, but now, in the last couple of months, we’ve had Australians appointed as neutrals at 20’s, World League and World Cups. 

“We’re changing that perception that Australian referees can’t perform on the big stage, because we can, and we are worthy of being at that level.”

While Kaesler admits that Olympic appointment has been a long-term dream of hers, her focus will be firmly on the World Championships over the coming fortnight.

“I’m not getting ahead of myself, my priority is Doha and doing a good job there.

“As officials we’d be lying if we said Olympic appointment isn’t something we all aspire to, but for me, Doha was a surprise and I’m really excited for the opportunity to referee well. 

“We’ll just have to wait and see about whatever happens after that,” said Kaesler.

As well as gaining experience on the international stage, Kaesler has consistently contributed at a grassroots level, including as a senior referee at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships earlier this year.

In addition to officiating on several medal matches, she also acted as a mentor for the new generation of referees coming through the pathway.

“Just as the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships is amazing for the players, it’s the same for the referees,” she said.

“We have a great group that are coming through, and just being able to work with them, share some of my knowledge and potentially help a couple of young referees on their way, it’s huge. 

“My number one piece of advice to young referees would be to trust the pathway. We have some great senior referees and delegates and some awesome events to advance learning.

“We see referees improve from zero to 100 in the space of a week, so don’t be scared to make that jump, we’ve got the structures in place and would love to have you. 

“Definitely stick with it, be a student of the game, watch water polo, know your rules, know what you’re doing, but more importantly, enjoy it, it’s the best seat in the house,” she finished.