He's just 12-years-old but Southland youngster Sam Nicholson has been firmly in charge on the touch field at the Uni Games this week.

The pint-sized whistle-blower has refereed nine games of touch at the national event and earned his Grade One qualification as a result.

"I see people reffing and like playing," Sam said.

He jumped at the chance to learn the ropes as a ref himself and is looking forward to controlling more games in the future, as well as playing rugby - of the tackle variety.

Touch Southland's Sue Tippett said the organisation had earned three Level One referees from the Uni Games.

"It's provided a great platform to enable our referees to achieve the qualification because they need a certain level of tournament to be tested at," she said.

The tournament had featured referees of the highest calibre with two international officials in Mike Saunders and Karen De Vries and national representatives John Evans, Richie Heap, Ina Moeroa, Lou Avia and Bronwyn Dumpleton all involved.

Tippett said the teams competing were also of a fantastic standard - on and off the field.

The classy AUT team outclassed Otago 10-2 to secure gold, with Waikato beating Canterbury 5-2 to claim bronze.