A message for all players, coaches and supporters of teams ...

Please remember your umpires are volunteers and are doing their best, based on their experience and in a lot of cases are young people. Before you have a go or start abusing these people think about how you would feel if someone did that to your child.

We have just celebrated Pink Shirt Day, which is all about anti bullying - somehow that message seems to have got lost along the way.

If teams OR umpires feel unsafe please send someone to the office and there will be someone sent out to help.

DID YOU KNOW...  

In Netball the ball has to be passed at least every three seconds. This results in the ball being passed (at an absolute minimum) 1,200 times a match.

Every time a player catches the ball, an umpire has to check seven things involving the player with the ball and their opponent (footwork, contact, how they got the ball, obstruction, offside etc.).

Almost simultaneously, the umpire has to look down the court and check other players are in their correct areas and are not blocking each other in their attempts to move. This could involve scanning 10 different players, while keeping one eye on the player with the ball and their opponent.

So that’s seven things, involving the player with the ball, plus potentially another 10 players to watch, each with three actions involved (contact, obstruction and offside).

That’s 38 different actions to watch for per pass, including the held ball rule. 38 times 1,200 passes equals 45,600 decisions umpires make per match. Even if that figure is split between the two umpires, that’s still 22,800 decisions each.

22,800 decisions a match! And that’s assuming players take the maximum three seconds to pass the ball. The real figure is probably much higher.

We need to respect our umpires! They are the ones out there giving it a go. So next time you think about criticising an umpire or saying something negative about our umpires please think about the difficult task they have and the effort and dedication required from them.

And if you think you have what it takes to do their job, why not get in touch? Training and support is provided. Email us!

Article added: Tuesday 14 June 2022