Ice Hockey UK referee-in-chief Simon Kirkham has been appointed as the IIHF referee supervisor for the World Championship (Division 2A) tournament in Auckland.

The six-team tournament, involving China, DPR Korea, Israel, Mexico, Turkey and hosts New Zealand, runs from Tuesday 4th to Monday 10th April 2017.

Kirkham was an ice hockey official for 18 years and officiated at nine World Championship tournaments.

He refereed in the Continental Cup and European Hockey League.

“It is again a great honour and privilege to be assigned by the IIHF as the referee supervisor for this World Championship,” Kirkham said.

“There will be officials from all over the world and I will oversee their participation at the tournament.

“It will be my job to make sure that they are ready for these championships on and off the ice.

“Dialogue with the teams is also important and it will be my role to make sure they are aware of what standard of penalties will be called.”