Bench Officials Profiles
Meet some of the bench officials who are responsible for the accurate scoring, monitoring and timing of games.
Name
Sally Paki Paki
Region
Tasman Nelson
What is your involvement with Netball?
Still play and Umpire, Coached Umpires and Players, been on netball committees , been doing umpires draw for many years .Been involved with Netball for over 33 yrs.
When did you become a Bench Official?
Started being a bench official when the position first became part of the game.
How did you get involved with being a Bench Official?
As a Player or Umpire I was never going to make the big league so felt being a bench official I could be involved with the top netball games.
What is your most memorable game as a Bench Official?
When Scotland played Fiji at the 2007 world games.
What do you do with your spare time?
what spare time! When I am not working or doing things for netball I have 10 Grand kids to run around after ,or spend time in the garden ,I have a lot of flowers of which I give away to the elderly ..I also once a week help run an afternoon session of housie for mainly elderly people.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Have received a lot of encouraging advise ,I can't really single out anything in particular .Some piece of advice from me is never put off doing something today for tomorrow may never come, if you are able to do something or go somewhere then do it for you may regret it . The chance may never come again.
Name
Margaret Marsh
Region
Canterbury
Involvement with Netball
Member of Executive for Christchurch Netball and Member of Umpires & Bench Officials Group for Canterbury. Co-ordinate Bench Officials for all Premier and Senior Games for Christchurch Competitions and any Tournaments and Tests in Canterbury.
When did you became a Bench Official
I have always enjoyed working with numbers and it is still great when all the scoresheets balance at the end of a game. I was introduced to Scoring and Timekeeping (as we were known) in the early 1990's at a NZ V Cook Islands at Cowles Stadium. I was asked to timekeep and it was explained to me when I arrived that all stoppages had to be noted and the addition of all stoppages and
breaks and game time must balance with the start and finish times of the game.
Why did you become involved with Bench Officials
There wasn't training when I started and I was asked to training people for the
last National Tournament and U21 Tournament held in Christchurch in 1995.
What is your most memorable game on the Bench
All the games we have won against Australia especially the year I was chosen to go to Palmerston North and Hamilton to officiate at these Tests.
What do you do with your spare time
I have very little during the winter, but I love my garden and enjoy a Craft Group once a week, and have visits during the week from 3 very lively grandchildren. Spend time with my husband who is very understanding of my absences.
Best piece of advice you have ever received
To enjoy every day and not dwell on the past.
Name
Kathy Hopgood
Region
Southland
Involvement with Netball
I have been involved with Netball off and on for the last 45 years as a player, umpire and now bench official.
When did you became a Bench Official
I became involved with Bench Officials while I was still an Umpire ,when Southland was hosting the New Zealand Champs back in the 70's/80's - not sure of the exact date now. They were looking for scorers and timekeepers.
What do you like about being a Bench Official
I like being a Bench Official for the involvement I still have with netball and the variety of people I meet through their interest in netball.
What is your most memorable game on the Bench
We have been lucky to host some awesome finals and tests over the years but my most memorable game was the final between Waikato and Canterbury in the National Champs 2001 (I think), when we had to score, not only the seven minutes each way extra time, but had to go to the two goal difference and the game ended up being about one and a half hours long! Both teams were exhausted when they came off court and it was a shame that they couldn't both win!
What do you do with your spare time
I am an avid follower of most sports - mostly from the armchair, but I do enjoy going to the gym 3 - 4 times a week. I have taken up patchwork quilting in the last two years and love it. I also have a beautiful 2 year old granddaughter whom I adore and it is my greatest joy to spend time with my family and friends.
Best piece of advice you have ever received
Not to take on other people's concerns/problems as they are not mine to own!
Name
Helen Cook
Region
Wellington
Involvement with Netball
Player, umpire, Coach co-ordinator
When did you became a Bench Official
Wellington Age Group Champs in the 80s.
What do you like about being a Bench Official
I got to know a lot of other people apart from Hutt Valley (my club) and it was such a lot of fun.
What is your most memorable game on the Bench
A game between Wellington region and Trinidad & Tobago, I thought it was an
opportunity of a lifetime.
Best piece of advice you have ever received
The more you give the more you get out of any sport.