A netball umpire’s progression through the pathway has historically been one met with roadblocks, from a lack of mentors in some regional areas, to reduced opportunities for skill development and a slow uptake of new umpires since the COVID pandemic. In response, Netball Victoria has identified a new way to help umpires hone their skills and gain the next level of accreditation.
The Talent Academy Umpire Program was introduced in 2023 and has seen a number of umpires reach their potential in both regional and metro areas. The program provides participants with the opportunity to receive on-court mentoring while umpiring match play, which directly aligns with the Talent Academy for netball players. The program is offered in all six regions and includes eight professional development sessions.
Chelsea Myers and Charley Samson are two umpires that were invited to apply for program, and soon gained the confidence and skills to go to the next level of their development. Charley is a regional umpire from Hampden and was first talent identified after umpiring the 2023 Association Championships in Warrnambool, while Chelsea was invited to the program after umpiring at the Central East Association Championships in Melbourne.
We asked the pair about their journeys and experience within the Talent Academy Umpire Program:
How has the Talent Academy Umpire Program improved your skills, confidence and professionalism as an umpire?
Charley: The program has allowed me to have access to amazing opportunities and umpire mentors such as Cathy Gallop who have a wealth of knowledge. As a group we have been studying the rules and game management and putting this into practice on court. Being recognised as a skilled umpire and invited into the program has definitely improved my confidence on and off the court. It’s fantastic that there are programs available for our umpires in Victoria to continue our development!
Chelsea: Getting instant feedback from mentors during match play with the athletes really helped identify what I needed to work on and allowed me to build on that throughout my weekly umpiring games. My confidence has grown from feedback that I’ve gotten from the mentors, particularly around game management.
How did the professional development sessions and umpiring the match play of academy netballers benefit you?
Charley: It benefitted us by allowing us to have constant feedback whilst we are umpiring – there are lots of stoppages for the academy coaches to give feedback to the players and this also allows us to get feedback straight away on our umpiring. It’s great to have the opportunity to jump back on court and put our mentors’ feedback into play straight away.
Chelsea: We’d keep an eye out for the things we just talked about in the development session, and after the games, were able to go back into our rooms to discuss it. It was extremely beneficial and helped so much.
Can you describe or compare the umpire you were before the program to now?
Charley: Prior to the program I feel that the achievement of my B badge was years away. There are many umpires in regional Victoria that don’t have opportunities to have mentoring or help. I have been quite lucky that I have a great mentor at my home club, but having the extra opportunities from Netball Victoria has definitely pushed me along quicker.
Chelsea: I have grown significantly in confidence, game management and consolidation of knowledge of the rules. Before now, I had general knowledge about those things, however joining the program and being able to discuss with my mentors the rules, ask questions, and explain situations I’ve been in has been really beneficial and grown my confidence especially.
What have been your achievements coming out of this program?
Charley: I received my C badge in 2022 and I feel that being in the academy has helped me fast track my skills to hopefully receive my B badge soon. I have attended multiple competitions such as State Titles where you are umpiring some of the best players in Victoria. The academy has also allowed me to meet lots of Netball Victoria umpire coaches and receive invitations to other competitions where I wouldn’t have had access to before now.
Chelsea: Through the program it was suggested that I umpire Association Championships again in 2024. My increased knowledge in court awareness and refinement of my skills led to my selection of umpiring the Association Championships Finals Day in the same week that I was awarded my B badge. It was a pretty cool week, I still remember the feeling after the game of being awarded the badge – it’s a pretty surreal feeling. I’d been working towards my B badge for about three years and trying to balance playing my own games, umpiring, coaching and being involved with so many different netball associations, so to have it awarded to me was amazing and all my work had finally paid off!
How important is it that the program is offered to up and coming umpires in regional areas?
Charley: I have been very lucky in having Lauren Hockley, an A badged umpire, local to my club. She is the reason I started umpiring and I was able to progress quite quickly from her help. There are a lot of clubs regionally at the moment who have a lack of umpires. As a regional umpire, I see great value in participating in the academy. I hope that after my experience, I can continue to help umpires in my area develop and that my experience will encourage others to strive towards being the most skilled umpire possible. Without great umpires, we can’t continue to play great netball. I am grateful to Netball Victoria for looking towards our regional umpires for these opportunities.
Anything else you’d like to mention about the program?
Chelsea: The program was amazing. Without it I feel I would’ve struggled to get to the point where I am today. I’m grateful for all of the opportunities that have come out of the program such as umpiring Association Championships Finals Day and the Inter-Academy tournament. I’m grateful for the advice and support given by mentors and the other umpires in the program. We have built some great friendships and support groups which we will all utilise at some point in the future.
Find out more about how you could start or fast-track your umpiring journey
