Two of New Zealand’s most experienced female match officials will referee the national knockout cup finals in Christchurch.
FIFA referee Anna-Marie Keighley will control the Chatham Cup final between Cashmere Technical and Fencibles United at One New Zealand Stadium.
Sarah Jones. Photo: Kirk Corrie / Phototek.
Main photo; Anna-Marie Keighley … 16 years on the FIFA referees’ list. Photo credit: Kirk Corrie / Phototek.
Sarah Jones, also on FIFA’s international referees list, will take charge of the Kate Sheppard Cup final between Cashmere Technical and Eastern Suburbs.
Keighley has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2010 and has officiated at three FIFA Women’s World Cups, in 2015, 2019 and 2023.
The Taranaki-born official also refereed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and has worked across men’s and women’s competitions domestically and internationally.
Keighley is the longest-serving New Zealander on FIFA’s current international panel and referees in the women’s A-League.
Jones has extensive international experience after spending a decade as a FIFA assistant referee before moving into the referee category in 2025.
She was an assistant referee at the FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2015, 2019 and 2023, and also officiated at the 2016 Olympics.
Hamilton-based Jones made her international debut as a FIFA referee at the OFC Men’s Champions League qualifying tournament in the Cook Islands in February 2025.
She has since continued on the FIFA referees list for 2026 and works as a referee in the women’s A-League.
Match officials for the cup finals
Kate Sheppard Cup
Referee: Sarah Jones.
Assistant referees: Courteney Bremner, Hunter Blyth.
Fourth official: Grace Teah.
Assessor: Helen Mallon.
Chatham Cup
Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley
Assistant referees: Isaac Trevis, Cameron Gruschow..
Fourth official: Ben O’Connell.
Assessor: Martin Neale.
How to watch the Kate Sheppard Cup final
The final will be streamed live and free by FIFA+ on the DAZN platform here:
How to watch the Chatham Cup final
The final will be streamed live and free by FIFA+ on the DAZN platform here:
Fixtures
Game to be played on Saturday September 5, 2026
Kate Sheppard Cup final
Cashmere Technical v Eastern Suburbs
One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch, 1pm
PREVIEW: Kate Sheppard Cup on line for Cashmere Technical, Eastern Suburbs >>>>
PROFILE: How Golden Boot winner Margarida Dias is chasing her dreams >>>>
Chatham Cup final
Cashmere Technical v Fencibles United
One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch, 4pm
PREVIEW: Cashmere Technical, Fencibles United battle for Chatham Cup >>>>
This story was first published on September 5, 2026
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