Irene Maguire is a highly esteemed umpire coach who started her volunteering journey with Christchurch Netball Centre in the late 1980s.The netball community valued Irene’s dedication and expertise as CNC Panel Convenor (2015 to 2023), and guidance and mentoring for new Convenor Landie Blair last year. 

In 2025, Irene is retiring from a role that has seen her influence the pathways and success of many umpires. 

According to Irene: 

It gave me great joy at our end of season get together last year with the Centre Panel to see so many young, talented and willing umpire coaches that are now part of the team. So, it is time to hang up my whistle. It has been an absolute privilege over these last 20 or so years to have been part of the umpiring journey for so many people. I will miss this role so much.

Irene held many voluntary roles over the years, including: 

• Committee member of Albion Netball  

• Committee member and club umpire for OLA netball  

• Club umpire for Villa Maria Netball 

• Coach for CNC Whistlers  

• Centre Panel Coach for CNC  

• Coordinator of Centre Panel for CNC 

This is Irene’s story. 

I began umpiring at CNC in the late 1980’s as a player umpire for Albion Netball club. I soon realised I enjoyed umpiring more than playing and progressed to sitting my Centre badge.  

After a break and having five children – I returned as an umpire for CNC around 1999, umpiring for the centre and as well as for the OLA netball club and Villa Netball Club till about 2006.  

Once our children were no longer involved in playing netball – I decided to progress with my umpiring, and I re-sat my Centre badge and passed the Zone Theory paper. 

During this time, I was helping coach young umpires in the CNC Whistlers programme.  

In 2009 during a game I tore a meniscus in my knee which put me out of action for the rest of the season. Following surgery in 2010 – I could no longer umpire.  

As I could no longer umpire – but loved the sport – I decided to become part of the Centre panel and I loved working with umpires encouraging them to improve and enjoy the game. 

I wanted to give back to the CNC for the support that they had given me over the years as an umpire. 

In 2015 I was appointed the coordinator of the Centre Panel. This involved: 

• Managing a team of coaches and ensuring that they are all on task for the role as coaches 

• Following up on the progression of umpires from beginner to Level 1 and Level 2 

• Making sure that practical Centre exams for umpires are arranged and coordinating assessors to each exam 

• Working with Kay Norris to get game allocations out to the coaches each week 

• Running training sessions with the Umpires and umpire coaches 

• Generally, keeping everyone motivated and making sure that we are all on the ‘same page’ re our level of coaching 

The thing I love about this role is not just one memorable moment – but the moments every week where I know that I have been able to encourage somebody – whether it be an umpire or a coach. 

The value of spending a few minutes of time with someone to listen to a challenge they have (either on court or off) and potentially make a difference to their day. I love seeing people smile after any sort of encouragement. 

I know how important that is to a volunteer – because if I had not been encouraged when I was learning how to umpire – I know that I would not have had this opportunity to do the role I am in now. 

Landie Blair and Pam Ormandy - I have loved working with both of you - thank you for all your support to me over the years. 

I will certainly pop down to the courts some Saturday afternoons to say hi and catch up. 

Article added: Tuesday 04 March 2025