NOTE:

Umpires will control a game on a different court at the same time their school is playing on the Monday to Wednesday. Umpires will be allocated on Thursday for semis and finals. 

For Umpire Registration please click here.

PROTOCOLS FOR UMPIRES

Umpiring is your sport, enjoy every minute of it.  It is a very important part of netball, however, as umpires you are there to control the game, NOT to take over the game.  Netball players for both teams should have the same opportunity to play the game without being disadvantaged by unfair play.

To ensure that you get the best out of your sport, you should ensure that you regularly read your rule book so you are confident with all the rules.  If you are unsure about anything, ask a more experienced person. Remember new rules have been implemented for 2024 - ensure you are familiar with these.


The game has become increasingly quicker so there is a great importance on the requirement that umpires are prepared well in regard to fitness.  As with all other sports and netball players, this is not something that you use to get fit – you need to be doing training and fitness programmes prior to umpiring.  This is more important when you are attending tournaments.  The intensity of a week-long tournament requires a high standard of fitness to enable you to do your best and the best for the teams and to avoid injury.  PREPARE WELL.

During tournaments dietary requirements are also very important.  You need to ensure that you have energy in your tank to enable you to last the whole day.

Umpires always need to be professional in their approach to the game.
This involves:

  • Ensuring that you are dressed appropriately in Umpire identifiable uniform:
    • White top and skirt/shorts or, as is now becoming popular black skirt/shorts and white top.  You need to make sure that the teams you are umpiring do not also have black skirts as this does cause some confusion for players.
    • You should try and have two sets, and this is particularly necessary if either your skirts/shorts is black.
    • A very good metal whistle – plastic is not acceptable for this level of umpiring.  It is difficult for players and your co-umpire to hear.
    • Use of hand signals for infringements.
    • A strong voice so players can hear you, with a good tone that is non-challenging.
    • Have a hair band so you can keep track of centre passes.
    • Always take two pairs of shoes to tournaments
    • Plenty of socks – fresh socks help to relieve tired feet a little.
  • Do not show any affiliation to a team while umpiring, i.e. do not wear school tracksuit jackets to the game you are going to umpire.  You are “team umpires”.  You do not sit on the bench of a school team in your umpire uniform.  You need to remain impartial at all times.
  • You do not sit on the bench of a school team in your umpire uniform. You need to remain impartial at all times.
  • Find out who your co-umpire for each game is before you reach the court.
    • Walk to the court together.
    • Ensure you both know the protocols for before, during and after the game, i.e. checking on Centre pass, indicating pass etc.  Your Centre has a list of these protocols.
    • Ensure you are at the court well ahead of the start of play to ensure everything is ready for the start of play.
    • Find out who the scorers will be, who is doing the timekeeping, ask who the manager and primary care givers are for each team.
    • Each umpire will check one team.  Before you check the team, ask the coach if it is okay to check the players, so not to interrupt a warm-up drill.
    • Confirm the captain and playing position of each team and discuss with your co-umpire.
    • Discuss with your co-umpire how you will work as a team on the game, i.e. making eye contact when ball is going out behind each other so you know when to call time; being available if you need to appeal for something you didn’t see in your half.
    • At the end of the game, ensure you have the score card. Check and complete by both signing off.
    • Ensure that you stay with your co-umpire and return the score card together.
    • Rules clarification can be asked by the captain of either team at a break or following a game.  Answer by quoting the ruling as you understand it.


Enjoy your experience, umpiring can take you a long way in sport, if you choose to take it further.