An Important Message to all Spectators at the Selwyn Netball Centre

Netball is a game that is often played at a fast pace. The players can often move unpredictably at various speeds on the court and the umpires will often transition from being stationary to sprinting in a matter of seconds. At the Selwyn Netball Centre, we collectively have a responsibility to ensure that all steps are taken to prevent avoidable injuries to all particpants in the game and to spectators. Unfortunately, at our Centre, the courts are very close together and very little allowance has been made for spectators. While we understand that family members and friends wish to watch the games, it is essential that this spectating is done in a safe manner.

Umpires are not permitted to go on the court. The court is for the players only. The court surrounds is the area of the court designed for the umpires and this is pretty much all of the area around the courts at the Selwyn Netball Centre. Because the court surrounds area is small at Selwyn, there have been occassions where spectators have been impeding the movement and, consequently, the progress of the umpires. There has also been the very real possibility of injury to an umpire, player or spectator. When this occurs, someone, usually an umpire supervisor, an umpire coach or a member of the Selwyn Netball Centre will ask the spectator to move to a more appropriate and safter position.

If you are a spectator who is asked to move, please do so with a minimum of fuss. There is a very real reason for you being asked to move and this is about health and safety. It is not to embarass you. It is never appropriate nor acceptable to verbally abuse members of the Centre who ask you to move to a safer position.

In order to prevent injuries to our members the following guidelines are in place at the Selwyn Netball Centre:

1. No bikes, scooters or skateboards are permitted to be in the court area (or radio controlled cars!)
2. Pushchairs, strollers and buggies should be well away from the courts. They are a hazard for players and umpires and there is a very real risk to the infant/child. The only potentially safe place for these to be by the court is in the top left hand corner and the bottom right hand corner of the court below. This is the only area the umpire doesn't use. The umpires on the court next door does though so it will need to be checked that they are not being put at risk.
3. No dogs are permitted to be at the courts.

It would be also much appreciated if spectators could look to see what is happening on the court they are about to walk past before proceding to walk along the goal line. Doing so may prevent them from being pinned to the fence by a quickly moving umpire. It can also prevent the game being stopped while the umpire waits for the spectator to move through.

Having to stop the game frustrates everyone involved in the game and the spectator will find that every participant is watching them and not in a friendly way. Please wait until play moves down the other end of the court before moving along the goal line.