What do Bench Officials do?
They call, score, keep time and record statistics for netball matches, and are responsible for the accurate recording of the score, and timing of the game.

What is Netball New Zealand's Bench Officials Programme?
The calling, scoring and timekeeping of matches is the domain of the bench officials, who are responsible for the accurate recording and monitoring of the score and timing of a game.

Netball New Zealand's Bench Officials Programme, launched in 2003, provides direction and sets national standards in this area. It has already led to major improvements in the standard and consistency of scoring and timing at major events.

 

In 2006 a national appointment process was established for Netball New Zealand events.


Who runs the Programme?
The Netball New Zealand Bench Officials programme is operated by regional entities for those wanting to officiate in these disciplines at either regional or national level.


How do I become an Accredited Bench Official?
Candidates who achieve competence at regional level events are awarded a Regional Netball New Zealand Bench Officials Accreditation certificate.

Candidates who achieve competence in these disciplines at national level events (games) are awarded a National Netball New Zealand Bench Officials Accreditation certificate.

These credentials need to be validated every three years to maintain the qualification.

For a Scorer 1 to achieve a national certificate, competency must be shown at Netball New Zealand approved games which include International Test series, the ANZ Championship, the Perry Foundation National Championships or New Zealand level games. These performances are assessed by Netball New Zealand.

To achieve a regional certificate in the Scorer 1, Scorer 2, Caller and Timekeeping disciplines, a candidate’s competency is judged on Region approved games which include the New Zealand Age Group Championships and the New Zealand Secondary School Championships. Theese candidates are assessed by the Region.

International test officials are selected from those who have demonstrated recent successful and competent form during the ANZ Championship and/or the Perry Foundation National Championships. The appointment of these bench officials is at the discretion of Netball New Zealand.


What skills are needed to become a competent bench official?
Key competencies for presenting the scoresheet at any level:

• Legibility - figures, writing and symbols used e.g. dots - must be clearly and consistently formed
• Size - writing and figures etc which fit neatly and legibly inside the boxes and spaces provided
• Mathematicial skills - accurate addition of statistics and checking of equations
• Errors - these are to be crossed out with a tidy straight line - horizontally, diagonally or with and 'X' through the incorrect items. Avoid the use of scribble or block outs
• NO whiteout or text erasing on any official documents - e.g. score sheet, team list, substitution forms