When the FIH Hockey World Cup heads to Belgium and the Netherlands in 2026, a familiar South African face will be among those leading the action on the turf. Annelize Rostron has officially been named as a referee for the showpiece event, adding another prestigious chapter to a career that has already seen her grace the Olympic stages of Tokyo and Paris.
Rostron’s name headlines a prestigious group of five South Africans appointed to the 2026 showpiece. The selection, recently confirmed by South African Hockey, also includes umpires Sean Rapaport, Darren Hubach, and Wanri Venter, along with Umpires Manager Deon Nel.
The International match referee arrives at this appointment with a resume that commands respect. Beyond her eye-opening tally of 136 international senior match caps, she recently made history in 2025 by becoming the first woman to officiate at both the Junior Men’s and Women’s World Cups.
Living proof that a thriving professional career and parenthood can coexist with world-class sporting ambitions, Rostron says that she balances a busy life in Potchefstroom as a mother and a dedicated educator when away from the high-pressure environment of international hockey, serving as a Grade 7 Natural Sciences teacher and Head of Department for Extracurricular Activities at Laerskool Mooirivier.
How did your career as a hockey referee begin?
I made the difficult decision during my second year of university to stop playing hockey due to a serious injury I sustained in matric, combined with the fact that I no longer felt the same love for playing. In 2005, while sitting at the NWU astro as a spectator watching a hockey match, the appointed umpire did not arrive. I was asked to step in and officiate. That Wednesday evening marked the beginning of my love for umpiring.
You are no stranger to the international stage, having participated in the Olympics before. What does it mean to you to still be competing in major international competitions like the World Cup?
Every appointment to officiate at a tournament is incredibly special to me. Representing my country is always an honour and a privilege that I never take for granted.
“The feeling you get when you open that email and see the appointment remains truly special, and it is a feeling I never want to lose.”
The words that run through my mind when I open that email are: ‘Today I stand here, aware that this moment is a gift – never promised, never taken for granted.’
What does it mean to you as a woman to be able to represent the sport at this level?
For me, it is about showing women, young and old, that it is possible to dream big. Even as a mother, you can still live out your dreams on an international stage. Women are often conditioned to believe that once you become a mother, dreaming must stop, but that is simply not true.
Do you feel you are recognised as a leader in hockey refereeing?
I believe that hockey in South Africa continues to grow significantly. Over the past few years, I have felt a noticeable increase in recognition, particularly since my first Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021.
How do you feel you display leadership as a hockey referee?
Leadership in umpiring involves many different aspects. When those aspects are handled correctly, upcoming umpires take notice.
These include physical fitness, mental strength, discipline, balancing a full-time job, and being a mother, all while still getting everything done.
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What are some of the leadership lessons that hockey has taught you as a leader?
One of the greatest lessons, and sometimes the hardest for young umpires to accept, is that the game is not about us as umpires. We are there to serve the game. You do not want to be the centre of the conversation after a match. You do this because you love the sport.
Have you seen an increase in female hockey referees on the international stage in recent years?
There is definitely growth in women’s participation, but there is still room for much more. In certain cultures, the role of women is perceived differently, which can make it difficult for some women to participate in sport.
What more can be done to ensure more women become hockey referees?
When I started as a young umpire, I had many mentors in South Africa whom I admired deeply, and I received strong support from them.
Unfortunately, this support has diminished over time, and today many young, upcoming female umpires do not receive the same level of guidance that I did. We need to put proper systems in place, systems that young female umpires can trust and that assure them of a future in umpiring.
What are some of your career highlights?
I’ve had so many career highlights, but some of the most memorable include: My first international tournament in Belgium in 2012, followed by the Junior Women’s World Cup in Germany and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow shortly after. I officiated at the 2018 Hockey World Cup in England and the 2022 tournament across Spain and the Netherlands, as well as the 2021 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
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A personal milestone was when I was awarded the Golden Whistle for my 100th senior international match in 2022, making me only the third South African woman to achieve it. Most recently, officiating at the 2025 Junior Men’s World Cup in India was a special moment, as it made me the first woman to officiate at both the Junior Men’s and Women’s World Cups.
What are your future career plans?
My goal is simply to continue while I still enjoy it. Unfortunately, umpires are required to retire at the age of 47, so I want to give my absolute best in the final years I have left, continue enjoying the journey, and create as many memories as possible.
gsport turns 20 years old this year. What impact have they had on women’s sport?
“I follow gsport on social media, and it is truly inspiring to see the recognition you give to women in sport. You are doing incredible work.”
Main Photo Caption: South African international hockey referee Annelize Rostron maintains her focus on the world stage as she prepares to bring her extensive experience to the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands. Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Balancing her ‘regular’ roles as an educator and a mother, Rostron has set a powerful leadership example through her historic career.
Photo 3 Caption: With over 130 senior international caps, Rostron has cemented her place in the global hockey officiating community.
