The Westlakes District Netball Association umpiring trio of Keeley Fuller, Lydia Philpott and Kim McManus Smith have been awarded umpire accreditation badges from Netball NSW.
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The C badge, awarded to Keeley and Kim, is achieved through demonstration of a number of key components of the game, including but not limited to:
- basic game management in order to keep the game moving;
- basic procedural competence;
- positioning and vision skills;
- appropriate reactions and timing;
- recognising and penalising obvious infringements; and
- applying the “advantage goal” rule so as not to disadvantage the non-offending team.
The C badge is awarded through undertaking a series of rigorous steps including completing the foundation umpires online course, achieving 70 per cent or more in the rules of netball theory exam, and completion of a successful practical test on a local game.
The dedication of both Keeley and Kim to the game of netball and Westlakes Association is commendable given the time, knowledge, physical and emotional skills needed to achieve an umpiring badge.
Likewise, Lydia, who attends the Hunter Academy of Sport for netball umpiring has proven her skill in her field by achieving a B badge.
One step up from the C badge, the B badge takes Lydia along the umpiring pathway towards international matches with opportunities to achieve an A badge, an all-Australia umpiring badge, and the International Umpires Award.
The B badge is achieved by demonstrating:
- sound game management and implementation of procedures;
- understanding of when measures need to be taken to keep the game safe;
- positioning and vision which extends beyond the immediate play;
- more consistent recognition of minor infringements; and
- more detailed knowledge of the obstruction, contact and advantage rules.
Without dedicated umpires who are committed to ongoing development and learning, netball could not be played.
A huge congratulations to this trio.
Today, they are umpiring at a club, regional and state level.
Tomorrow, they could be umpiring the Australian Diamonds.
