Europe assignment for top judo referee

Former New Zealand judo champion Diane Limbrey's services as a top referee continue to be recognised internationally with two more prestigious assignments in Europe.

Limbrey, who will referee this weekend at the Wellington Open Judo Championships, is heading to Spain at the start of June.

She will referee at the women's only two-day European Open Judo competition in Madrid.

"The second is the following weekend in Lisbon, Portugal - also a European Open Judo competition for women only," said Limbrey.

The tournaments are part of the international season. The equivalent men's competitions are being held at the same time in the Romanian capital of Bucharest and Tallin, capital of Estonia.

Limbrey said the competitions are a step up from her first trip to Europe last year to referee at championships in Slovenia and the Czech Republic.

"It follows on from me refereeing in the Oceania Judo Championships in Cairns last month. And in March I was selected and attended a high level refereeing seminar in Sydney, for international referees from around the Oceania region."

Limbrey, who started competing as a 12-year-old in Britain, came to Wanganui in 2002 and claimed the Oceania silver medal in 2005 before retiring from active competition the following year.

A police constable for over 15 years, she has worked her way up through the local, national and now international refereeing ranks, with the goal of reaching level A to officiate at Olympic Games and world championships.