The 2022 Suncorp Super Netball Umpire Squad and Netball Australia Umpire Talent Pool has been released with seven Victorians making their way into the squad of 17, highlighting the impressive talent and depth filtering through the state’s umpiring pathway.
Justin Barnes, Nathan Begley, Andrea Booth, Nicole Bullen, Tim Marshall, James Matthews and Kate Wright are set to take to the court once again for the upcoming SSN season which kicks off on 26 March.
Like many of her fellow Victorian umpires, Wright is a familiar face having been in the elite pathway for over 20 years - but the appointment to the SSN Umpire Squad is still just as exciting as the first time she was selected.
“It is something you never take for granted and it is something that I’m very excited about,” said Wright.
“I feel very proud of being selected, it’s exciting because the journey continues for the year, and you get to umpire the games which is what it’s all about. This is what I really love doing. You get to work with an amazing group of umpires as well.”
Wright highlighted the beneficial impact of being surrounded by her peers, learning the various ways they approach and perceive certain rules to help advance her own output.
“The way they [fellow umpires] view the game, and we also get feedback from the players and coaches as well, so it’s a whole group of people that create the game that everyone sees on the telly.
“It’s also what they do off the court that is always really great, so it’s good to be a part of that group. You can always learn new ways to get through the week and prepare for games, review games or get ready for the next one. It’s a very collegiate group that shares information and there’s always new ideas,” she said.
There have been plenty of highlights throughout her career but one that leaps to mind was the COVID hub back in 2020, as it provided Wright with a chance to be immersed and really focus on her craft.
“While it was very hard to be away from family, being able to focus on the game for a period of time in amongst my teammates and fellow umpires was a highlight.”
After a successful Team Girls Cup, the 17 Squad umpires that have been selected will integrate with the first-stage intake of the newly developed Netball Australia Umpire Talent Pool.
From there, seven developing umpires will join the core group with the chance of four umpires progressing to the Squad after the National Netball Championships in April.
With plenty of experience behind her, Wright is looking forward to imparting some of her wisdom to the emerging umpires to help elevate their game, labelling it as “refreshing” to have them around.
“I’ve been in the national pool for a long time. It’s great to see such skill and commitment. It just reminds you of the fun and the anticipation of the game without knowing some of the pitfalls that come with it.”
With the 2022 season creeping up, Wright is prepared for the unexpected especially when it comes to the action out on court.
“I’m very excited about the team makeup and the changes that are out there. I’m excited to see some of the teams that have had less changes and have grown over the past few years. I think it is going to be hotly contested.
“I am looking forward to stepping out each week and having no idea and no anticipation of who’s going to win. I think it’s up for everyone this year, it’s a very open playing field.”
Full list of SSN Squad Umpires
Andrea Booth
Bronwen Adams
Emma Burgess
Georgina Sulley-Beales
James Matthews
Jemma Cook
Jordan Kiss
Justin Barnes
Kate Wright
Nathan Begley
Nicole Bullen
Rachael Stebbings
Rebecca Ferguson
Tamara Welsford
Tara Warner
Tayla Favell
Tim Marshall
Netball Australia Umpire Talent Pool
Claire Kleinschmidt
Daniel Roe
Hayley Burgess
Jerome Gillbard
Mark Munnich
Nathan Cera
Shauna Winchester
