Lottie and Tom are two of more than 80 young umpires who participated in the Whistlers Programme at CNC this year. Both Lottie and Tom achieved Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum awards this year. 

Tom came in as a first year whistler and achieved Bronze and Silver quickly. He also plays netball for Merrin School and shows lots of potential as a player and umpire.

Lottie is in year 11 at school and while she could have started at Centre panel level she chose to do Whistlers and what an achievement she has made this year starting from 2nd year Whistlers level. Lottie has also gained her Level 2.

We wanted to ask them some questions about their experience.

Firstly congratulations to you both on making it to your platinum awards!

CNC: Can you tell us what made you interested in the Whistlers programme?
TC: I had played netball for 4 years since I was 8 and thought it would be a good way to learn the rules better, as well as giving back to the sport it gives me a pathway once I am too old to play on Saturdays as boys can only play until U15s in the normal Saturday grades.
LW: I have always been interested in netball so I wanted to try out how umpiring was too. I thought it would be a good way to introduce me to the world of umpiring.

CNC: What have you liked most about the programme?
TC: I like the support and encouragement from the umpire coaches especially Pete. It was a bit nerve wracking moving up the level so quickly however felt that the coaches fully believed in my ability. It was good to be given one or two things to work on each week.
LW: I enjoyed how we got feedback from the coaches for things we need to work on and that we got to discuss real world scenarios like how to deal with very vocal supporters.

CNC: How much confidence has it given you?
TC: It has really built my confidence and to believe in my own ability as well as helping me with my own netball game in regard to knowing the rules better.
LW: I have gained a lot of confidence to not be afraid to blow the whistle and to always back myself.

CNC: Any advice for anyone thinking of entering the Whistlers programme?
TC: Watch lots of netball replays and believe in yourself. The Whistler program is really good in the fact you start with 6 aside and then work your way up to U12s and the U13s, you don’t have to know all the rules, calls and hand signals to start with as you have a rule session each week and get weekly rules to work on. Don’t be scared of the side line supporters as you are the one with the whistle and have the power to ask them to leave the side of the court if need be.  
LW: If people are considering umpiring I would say to just give it a go. Just join the whistles programme to give you a feel of what umpiring is like and you can decide from there :)

Thank you so much to the both of you and good luck for the rest of your umpiring journey!

Image courtesy BR Photos 2021.

Article added: Thursday 30 September 2021