Whanganui football referee Matt Stoneman is making history on the world stage.
He has become just the fourth ever New Zealander to be awarded a Fifa futsal referee badge and the first ever from the River City.
Stoneman has long been an outdoor official refereeing major games throughout the country and only narrowly missed gaining qualification to rule at National League level last season. However, gaining that qualification in again on his radar this year.
In the meantime, futsal, the fast-paced indoor cousin of outdoor football will be his major focus.
Stoneman gained his international accreditation with help from Central Football and is now one of only three active futsal referees currently officiating.
Central Football referee development officer David Lawrie said the country's No1 Fifa futsal referee is Chris Sinclair from Christchurch, while the only other is also from the central region.