Umpires
WANT TO BECOME AN UMPIRE?
BECOMING AN UMPIRE
How to become an umpire in 5 easy steps:-
• Must be a registered member of NQ.
• Purchase a rule book from our office.
• Purchase a good quality hand-held metal whistle.
• Sit the section 1 Theory Exam, Netball Australia Online Umpire Exam Centre.
• Attend a Level 1 Umpires Course, please check Netball Queensland Upcoming Courses for up and coming courses.
STEPS TO UMPIRING AND BECOMING NATIONALLY ACCREDITED
Umpiring offers many exciting challenges and plays a key role in the development of netball.
• Begin to understand the rules. Use the Rule Book, rules discussions, working with and watching experienced players and umpires as the basis of this understanding.
• Learn the techniques of umpiring by seeking advice from your coach or an experienced umpire.
• Learn to apply the rules and improve your understanding
• Begin to umpire competition matches.
• Practice to improve your umpiring skills and techniques.
• Reinforce your knowledge of the rules and match protocols.
• Use club trainings to practice and gain confidence.
• Attend the Level 1 Umpire Course.
• Sit and pass the Section 1 Umpires’ Theory Exam.
• Continue to practice and learn in preparation for your Practical Testing
ELIGIBILITY TO JOIN
PREREQUISITES
• Minimum age 12 years
• Pass the Theory Exam, online on Netball Australia website
• Attend a Level 1 Umpires’ Course
HOW TO START
• Must be registered member of NQ
• Complete Southport Carrara Umpiring Paperwork
• Complete your Theory and Level 1 courses. If these have been completed elsewhere please notify
your Umpire Coordinator
• Start umpiring
NEW JUNIOR UMPIRE
Umpire with an Umpire Coach until considered ready to umpire alone.
Achievement checklist maintained.
Key Performance Indicators:
• Loud voice and whistle
• Correct centre pass, using wristband
• Basic knowledge of rules
• Awareness of footwork rules
• Basic hand signals for time and stepping
• Move with the ball3
JUNIOR UMPIRE (INTERMEDIATE)
Umpire independently with support from Umpire Coordinator and Umpire Coach.
Achievement checklist maintained.
Key Performance Indicators:
• Confident making calls
• Apply footwork rules (recognize stepping)
• Use of most hand signals
• Starting to apply advantage rule
• Distinguish between contact and contest
• Appropriate positioning for best vision
• Use correct terminology for infringements
SENIOR UMPIRE (BADGE TRAINEE)
Intensive training in preparation for Badge Testing.
Umpire 2 matches with a Badged Umpire each week.
Key Performance Indicator:
• Loud voice and whistle and confidence in making calls
• Familiarity with rules
• Consistent application of rules – footwork, offside, contact, obstruction
• Application of advantage rule
• Distinguish between contact and contest
• Correct terminology for infringements, penalties, court positions
• Confident use of all hand signals
• Appropriate positioning for best vision
The Netball Australia Umpire Accreditation system is an educational pathway based on Netball Australia Umpiring Courses (Level 1 & 2), NOAS General Principles (Introductory & Advanced), Rules in Action and practical umpiring instruction through an experienced mentor system.
Assessment is based on Theory Examinations (Section 1 & 2), practical evaluation through established KPI’s, self-reflection and, where possible, video analysis.
The culmination of this accreditation system, for those who choose, leads to practical assessment in a 4- tiered system of badges, namely C, B, A and the highest national award the AA (All Australian).
Pathways to Practical Testing
It is not essential to proceed sequentially through each badge level. The only pre-requisite badge level is an A Badge before Screening for an AA Badge.
PRE‐REQUISITES | PATHWAYS | ASSESSMENT | QUALIFICATIONS (refer to KPI’s) | |
Theory Examination | Practical Test | |||
Level 1 Course (integrated with Introductory Level Officiating General Principles) | Participating in Rules discussion workshops Attending Rules in Action course(s) Mentoring Practice umpiring at appropriate level | Section I (Online) 70-79% | Local Game (4×15 minute quarters) | C Badge |
Section I (Online) 80-89% | Local Game (4×15 minute quarters) | B Badge | ||
Rules In Action (2 Parts) + | Section I (Online) 90-100% | State League Game (4×15 minute quarters) | A Badge | |
Level 2 Course (includes Advanced Level Officiating General Principles) | Attend Umpire Development Programmes Self-Reflection Individual Development Screening for AA Introductory Level Officiating General Principles course (available online) Advanced Level Officiating General Principles | Section I (Online) 90-100% | State League Game (4×15 minute quarters) | A Badge |
Section II 90-100% | 2 quarters of 2 State League games in one of the following MOs ‐NSW; SA; VIC 1 game at Highest Level of National Competition | All Australia Badge (AA) | ||
International Umpire Theory Examination (when introduced) | Highest Level of Competition in the Country with International Experience | International Umpire Award (IUA) |
https://scna.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Web_UMPIRE_ACCREDIATION_UPDATE.pdf
https://scna.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Umpire_Agreement.pdf
UMPIRE CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
In addition to Netball Australia’s General Code of Behaviour, you must meet the following requirements with regard to your conduct during any activity held by or under the auspices of Netball Australia, Member Organisations or Affiliates in your role as an umpire.
1. Treat all players with respect at all times.
2. Accept responsibility for all actions taken. Exercise reasonable care to prevent injury by ensuring players play within the rules. Reasonable care consists of advising the players of illegal body movements, showing due diligence in detecting infringements and penalizing rule breakers.
3. Place the safety and welfare of the players above all else. Although it is the responsibility of umpires to ensure that the playing conditions are safe, in the end it is the association’s decision. If a court supervisor or equivalent is appointed
and present at the match they would decide whether the game should commence or continue and deal with any emergencies relating to a safe environment or anticipate any foreseeable dangers and deal with it appropriately. If no such person is present, you should make a decision as to whether the match should commence or continue due to adverse conditions, safe
environment or foreseeable dangers.
4. Umpires must be impartial and maintain integrity in their relationship with other umpires, players and coaches.
5. Avoid situations which may lead to a conflict of interest.
6. Be courteous, respectful and open to discussion and interaction.
7. Value the individual in sport. Ensure the players have the opportunity for discussion with you after the match.
8. Seek continual self-improvement through study, performance appraisal and regular updating of competencies. Maintain or improve your current badge level and seek continual improvement.
9. Encourage inclusiveness an access to all areas of officiating. Aim for excellence based upon reals.
10.Be a positive role model in behavior and personal appearance by maintaining the highest standards of personal conduct and projecting favourable image of netball and umpiring at all times.
11.Refrain from any form of personal abuse towards players. This includes verbal, physical and emotional abuse. Be alert to any forms of abuse directed towards the players from other sources while they are playing. (Abide by Netball Australia Member Protection).
12.Refrain from any form of harassment towards players. Treat all players fairly within the context of their sporting activities, regardless of gender, race, place of origin, athletic potential, colour, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs,
socio=economic status, and other conditions. (Abide by Netball Australia Member Protection Policy).
13.Show concern and caution towards ill and injured players. You should enforce the blood rule and apply procedures regarding ill or injured players according to the rule book. Common sense must be applied in all cases.
The Rules of Netball Theory Examination tests the basic rules of the game.
It is an online examination that is accessible all year. A certificate is generated for all candidates who achieve a pass (70% or above). The most recent examination mark is the current result and Pass marks are valid for 4 years.
It is highly recommended that prior to commencing this exam you read a copy of the Rules of Netball (2020).
Click here for more information.
The Foundation Umpire Course is one of the pre-requisites for obtaining a National C Badge and participating in the Elite Umpire Course. Coaches and players are also encouraged to complete the course to further support their understanding of the game.
Successful completion of the course provides you with one of the required pre-requisites for a National C Badge.
Click on the link below to access the online course