Netball in New Zealand offers new umpires exciting opportunities to be involved in a high profile women's sport at all levels, from local junior competitions to international test matches.
Netball New Zealand’s Umpiring Excellence Strategy is a comprehensive programme, supported by extensive Resources and regular Workshops designed to help umpires gain the the skills, knowledge and experience needed to control games effectively at every level.
Netball has changed markedly during the past decade. The increased speed, athleticism and skills of players have intensified the physical contest which presents fresh challenges for umpires.
If you are interested in becoming an umpire contact the Umpire Development Manager,
UMPIRING EXCELLENCE FRAMEWORK
There are three parts to the Framework and each one has specific goals:
1. ASSESSMENT & ACCREDITATION
• To increase the number of accredited umpires at all levels.
• To have a pathway for netball umpires that is seen as fair and transparent.
Assessment and accreditation progresses through four award levels:
Netball New Zealand Centre Award
Netball New Zealand Regional Award.
NZ Umpire Awards – NZC, NZB, NZ A
International Umpires Award (IUA).
2. EDUCATION & TRAINING
• To have umpires, and assessors, coaches and tutors who are able to achieve their potential at the highest possible level.
• To have netball umpires, assessors, coaches and tutors (practical and theory) who understand and apply the official rules of the game in a professional and competent manner.
Resources include stepping stone coaching programmes for each stage of experience, from the young umpire through to New Zealand level, including Centre and Regional umpires.
Workshops covering a number of aspects of umpiring are available for all levels as well as skill-specific CDs.
3. HIGH PERFORMANCE
• To have netball umpires who are rated among the best in the world.
• To have elite umpires who are role models so that netball umpiring is seen as a sporting career choice.
• To have netball umpires officiating to a high standard in all netball matches.
The High Performance structure begins with the identification of promising young umpires:
NZ Talent Development Programme - Under-19
National Umpire Development Squad
National A Umpire Squad
ANZ Championship Umpires
International Umpires
UMPIRE DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY
NNZ Young Umpires Programme
Starts with a secondary school’s practical and theory programme and a young umpire’s programme.
The level of umpiring at this stage is the control of centre school matches.
NNZ Centre Umpires Award
Centre Umpire Training Course, a Centre Theory Test and finally a Centre Practical Assessment.
With this award the umpire moves on to controlling Centre competitions, secondary school fixtures, junior tournaments and Regional secondary school matches.
Centre Panels coach and assess umpires at this level.
NNZ Regional Umpires Award
Regional Umpires Training Course, a NNZ Regional Theory exam and finally a Regional Practical Assessment.
This assessment needs to be endorsed every 4 years.
Successful Umpires will be considered for the NZ Talent Development Programme and Regional TD programmes
These umpires can umpire Regional Secondary School matches and age group tournaments.
Regional Practical Panels coach and assess umpires at this level.
NZ C Award
NZ Umpires training course, NZ Theory Exam and a pass in the Beep test.
Umpires must assess every four years.
NZ C umpires can then work towards their NZB & NZA Awards.
These umpires can be considered for NZSS, National Netball Championships and National Umpire Squad selection.
International Umpire (IUA)
Pre-requisites are a Theory exam screening then a practical assessment.
This award allows umpires to be appointed to International fixtures and games, the World Championships, World Youth Championships and Commonwealth Games.