Umpires

Umpire Convenor

The Umpire Convenor is a vital part of the club, contributing to the development of umpires and the overall enjoyment of the game. Each club affiliated with Tweed Netball Association has a designated umpire convenor, including Kingscliff Netball Club.

The role of the umpire convenor is to:

• Allocate umpires to matches, collating team schedules and game commitments so each week of the Saturday competition is covered.
• Attend club meetings, providing an update on the club's umpiring activities and receiving feedback from committee members.
• Attend Tweed Netball umpire convenor meetings, raising items on behalf of the club and providing input to association umpiring issues and decisions.
• Support and develop umpires through mentoring and training so they are well prepared for officiating.
• Maintain a safe and respectful environment, ensuring umpires are treated with respect and the game is played fairly and safely.
• Ensure all umpires under 18 are participating in the Green Band Initiative, and all umpires over 18 hold a valid Working with Children and/or Blue Card clearance.
• Ensure all umpires hold a valid Rules of Netball Exam certificate and, if relevant, a valid umpires course certificate for badged umpires.

Becoming an umpire

To start your umpiring journey at Tweed Netball Association you must first pass the Rules of Netball Exam and attend the Introduction to Umpiring Course. The current umpiring pathway is:

• Orange Bib Umpire — beginner umpire who is new to umpiring.
• Red Bib Umpire — pass the Red Bib umpires assessment.
• Green Bib Umpire — pass the Green Bib umpires assessment.
• Pink Bib Umpire — assessed by the Tweed umpire convenor to progress to a coaching program in readiness for umpire accreditation (C Badge).
• National C Badge Umpire — 70% or higher on the Rules of Netball Exam, complete the Foundation Umpires Course and pass the C Badge practical assessment.
• National B Badge Umpire — 80% or higher on the Rules of Netball Exam, complete the Foundation Umpires Course and pass the B Badge practical assessment.

Umpire Mentor Program

Umpire mentors are an integral part of every umpire's development. They provide support and guidance for umpires at all levels, assisting with skill development and increasing confidence. Feedback to umpires should be consistent and accurate.

We ask our umpire mentors to have:

• Good technical umpiring knowledge.
• Ability to teach and develop skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to identify positives as well as areas for improvement.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback to encourage progression.
• Ability to adapt feedback depending on individual learning styles.

Umpire allocations

The club's umpire convenor proposes the umpire allocation for each competition week ahead of its posting by Tweed Netball Association. As an umpire, you are required to confirm your availability each week through the Tweed NA Umpires Facebook page.