Sue Rossiter is at the very top of her umpiring game. She has reached a standard of adjudication in our sport that even the legendary Helen Stallard (may she rest in peace) would have acknowledged with an approving smile.

Take last season for example.

In September, Sue marked during the Bowls5 Series, which was televised nationally, as well as the Representative Quadrangular Series. The following month, she was Chief Technical Official (CTO) at the North Harbour Masters, a five-day signature event.

In November, she umpired and served as Deputy Chief Technical Officer (DCTO) at both the World Champion of Champions Singles and the Oceania Challenge in Auckland, while also umpiring at the Bowls North Harbour Men’s Triples.

In January this year, she was DCTO, on duty every day during the National Open Singles and Pairs in Auckland. The following month, she both umpired and acted as CTO at the Representative Quadrangular Series, and also officiated at the North Harbour Men’s Fours Finals Day.

Sue finished the 2024/2025 season by umpiring at the Bowls North Harbour 1–5 Year Interclub Finals Day in April, followed by the Champion of Champion Triples Finals Day in May.

Yet all this activity only hints at her wider commitment to umpiring.

Like all experienced umpires, Sue devotes considerable time to encouraging others.

“She helps coordinate monthly training sessions for all members of our association,” says Sheryl Wellington, President of the Bowls North Harbour Umpires’ Association. “We’ve even been joined by members of the Auckland Association, because she offers such highly regarded practical and theoretical advice.

“Sue has been our Appointments Officer for North Harbour Umpires for the past two years. She has also led the introduction of laser measures to North Harbour and trained umpires in their use. We have purchased several so all our umpires have access to them.”

On-going training is another area where Sue has made a big impact.

“She was involved in the training of six new Measurers in our Centre last season,” adds Sheryl. “Five of them have already become Level 1 umpires. Sue and Margaret Eames also re-accredited two Level 2 umpires from the Centre.”

Her contribution has extended beyond North Harbour as well.

“She re-accredited a Level 2 umpire from the Far North Centre last season, along with two from the Bay of Plenty Centre. She also examined and passed a new Level 2 umpire in the Bay.”

“What makes Sue a real treasure,” says Sheryl, “is her willingness to share her umpiring expertise throughout the Upper North Island. She has visited clubs and centres wherever she is needed, presenting umpire long service awards, introducing and explaining laser measures, and helping to ensure local umpiring is tournament-ready.”

Sheryl is particularly proud of Sue’s contributions to the Bowls North Harbour Umpires’ Association.

“Sue is our Past-President,” she explains. “I am President, with Lorna Donald as Secretary and Connie Mathieson as Treasurer. We are often referred to as the ‘band of four’. Together, we run the Umpires’ Tournament in North Harbour three times a year in November, January and April. It has become a very popular fixture in the Harbour bowls calendar.”

It is no surprise that Sue received the Bowls North Harbour Umpire of the Year award in 2024. And this year, equally unsurprising, she has been named Bowls New Zealand’s Umpire of the Year for 2025.

Congratulations, Sue.