Written by Amelia Barnes
AusPlay data shows there are over 170,000 current netball players in Victoria, and for every match that is held, two umpires must be present.
Recognising the vital contribution of umpires to our game, the WorkSafe Umpires in the Field program delivers regular educational workshops across Victoria to develop, upskill, and support new and established officials.
Presented by Netball Victoria's experienced umpire developers, these workshops are designed for foundation level umpires, umpires working toward higher accreditations, umpire mentors, and umpire testers.
Leah Saunders has been umpiring for almost three decades and is one of the WorkSafe Umpires in the Field presenters based in northern Victoria.
As a presenter, she delivers introduction to umpiring, mentoring, and game management courses; mentors umpire testers; and tests umpires herself throughout the region.
Saunders is passionate about netball umpiring as a fun job that provides fulfilment and the opportunity to develop personal and professional skills.
She doesn’t do it for the money – although Saunders notes many associations are willing to pay well for quality talent. Being the Goulburn Valley League’s umpire mentor and advisor (a position outside Saunders’ paid workshop and testing commitments for Netball Victoria) is an entirely volunteer role that she does purely for the love of seeing new umpires flourish and supporting local netball.
“It's about enjoyment and the wonderful sense of community and belonging to the game that counts,” she said. “This is something that I promote during the courses and as I help umpires develop throughout my region.”
To ensure grassroots netball continues thriving, Saunders strongly encourages all associations to appoint an umpire mentor who can pass on their knowledge. She said just knowing there’s someone experienced and supportive to turn to can be enough to spark someone’s interest in giving umpiring a go.
“It is so important that the young and junior umpires get the correct information to help go out and umpire to the best of their ability. Many of the juniors are super keen to get out and umpire,” Saunders said.
“The clubs that support umpires and continue their development will find that they will be able to cover all games with quality umpires.”
Saunders also said leagues, clubs, and associations must foster a positive and safe culture that allows umpires to develop their skills. “Supporters, coaches and players forget that just like the junior netballer, the umpire is still learning their skills too,” she said.
Developing this culture can be achieved by implementing league bylaws including zero tolerance policies towards umpire abuse.
Retaining umpires is especially important in the current netball climate, which sees many umpires having left the sport over COVID, and other sporting codes providing new opportunities.
“Umpires and mentors are crucial for the grassroots game’s survival in country Victoria and all of Australia. No umpires, or a lack of quality umpires, will impact the quality of games that are being played. We then lose players and interest from girls who want to go and explore other options,” Saunders said.
“With the rise of other women's sport in Australia, now is a critical time to keep as many face-to-face courses, develop mentors to support beginner umpires, and open lines of communication with Netball Victoria to help support our umpires. It is important to keep Victoria’s umpires at a high standard that has been set.”
By presenting workshops through the WorkSafe Umpires in the Field program, Saunders ultimately hopes to attract more people to umpire the sport and keep in the game – just as she’s been doing for close to 30 years.
“I like the fact that I can go to a club, be welcomed in, help with development by giving feedback or courses that they want, and help clubs with some umpire directions,” Saunders said.
“It also helps me keep track of the umpires that we have developed and need developing.”
Find out more about the WorkSafe Umpires in the Field program
