Umpiring

Valleys Netball Club takes great pride in our umpires who cover a wide range of ages and experience.

The Club provides mentoring and coaching for all umpires throughout the season, allowing for continual improvement for all umpires and assisting individuals to achieve their personal goals. 

General information about umpiring with Valleys Netball Club can be found below and detailed information can be found in our Umpiring Policy and Essentials document. 

Interested in umpiring competitive netball games? 

Beginner or experienced umpires are invited to join the Valleys Team White umpiring group.

Beginner Umpires

NOTE: The 2023 Program is full. If you are interested and have not completed the EOI, you can be placed on a waiting list. Email your details to valleysumpiring@outlook.com.

For those with no previous competitive  umpiring experience and born in 2010 or later (you're never too old to start!), Valleys Netball Club runs a Beginner Umpire Program. For more information about the program, see the Beginner Umpire Program section below

Places in the Program are limited to ensure a fair distribution of games and coaching for all participants. Preference will be given to those with the best availability, i.e. - those not involved in other Saturday morning sports such as water polo, rowing and school netball.

Beginners need to - 

• • Be available for the 8.00 am round each week. Depending on skill level, Beginners may also need to be available for the 9.00 am round.

  • Attend one of the DPNA Beginner Umpire Clinics

  • If possible, be available for the DPNA 10 & 11 years Grading Day on 11 March 2023

  • Be aware that you may not have a game each week, depending on the number of umpires and appropriate games

  • Complete the Rules of Netball Exam by 22 April 2023 (See Umpire Education section below for more information)

  • Not nominate just because your friends are, or you want to make some pocket money

Experienced Umpires

If you have at least ONE season of competitive umpiring experience and would like to join Valleys Team White, please complete the New Umpire EOI - https://forms.gle/aC8nqtKtvhTiwLno8. (If you umpired for Valleys in 2022, you  do not need to complete the EOI)

Valleys Umpires need to -

• • Have a current Rules of Netball Exam pass or complete the Exam by 22 April 2023

  • Have completed the Foundation Umpire Education Course (previously known as Level 1 Umpires Course) 

  • If over 18 years of age, have a current Working with Children Blue Card or Exemption

  • Be familiar with The Valleys Netball Club Umpiring Policy & Essentials  

Experienced umpires are expected to wear a plain white shirt either over their playing uniform or with a white or black skirt or shorts (no bike pants or leggings). Valleys Umpiring shirts are available through the Valleys Uniform Conveyor but are not mandatory.

Beginner Umpire Program

• Minimum age. New competitive umpires must be turning 13 in the first year of umpiring. (Born 2010 or later). There is no maximum age.

• Beginners are expected to complete the Rules of Netball Exam prior to the start of the 2023 season.

• Beginners are expected to be familiar with The Valleys Netball Club Umpiring Policy & Essentials  

• Beginner umpires will be allocated to under 10 games and, if appropriate, lower division 11 and 12 years games.

• Not all Beginners will have a game each week.

• A 'Buddy' is assigned for all new ‘junior’ umpires for at least the first 2 fixtures to provide guidance and support. Buddies will stay courtside for the entire game.

• Parents are welcome to sit courtside for moral support but are not to coach umpires.

• Beginners are expected to wear a plain white shirt either over their playing uniform or with a white or black skirt or shorts (no bike pants or leggings). Valleys Umpiring shirts are available through the Valleys Uniform Comvemor but are not mandatory.

Valley Umpires are expected to -

• Be available whenever possible.

• Perform at their best each week no matter what division they are allocated.

• Notify of unavailability in a timely manner.

• Advise of any issues regarding allocations within 24 hours of roster distribution.

• Be on time for games.

• Notify the Valleys Umpiring Convenor in a timely manner if running late.

• Be willing to learn.

• Be enthusiastic! 

Non-Competitive games (7, 8 & 9 years)

• Player’s parents are expected to umpire Non-Competitive games where modified rules are used (7, 8 & 9 years).

• Coaches may umpire these games. See The Valleys Netball Club Umpiring Policy & Essentials   for more details on Coaches' umpiring.

• No rostering is undertaken by the Umpire Convenor for these games.

• Non-parent Non-Competitive umpires must have at least 1 season of experience and must be born in 2008 or later.

• All Non-Competitive umpires are advised to attend an information session offered by Downey Park Netball Association or Valleys Umpire Convenor.

Umpire Education

Rules of Netball Examination

•  All umpires are expected to complete the Rules of Netball Examination as early as possible in their first season of umpiring.

• The Rules of Netball Examination is available through Netball Learning. (https://learning.netball.com.au). There is a fee of $12.00 to undertake the exam. This cost is not covered by Valleys Netball Club. HINT: Once logged in, go to 'Find learning' and search for 'rules of netball'.

• The exam can be undertaken as many times as you wish, however, the most recent examination mark is the current result and Pass marks are valid for 4 years.

• All umpires are expected to maintain the currency of their exam (expires every 4 years).

• Exam certificates or a screenshot of current results must be supplied to the Valleys Umpire Convenor.

Foundation Umpire Course.

• All umpires are expected to complete the Foundation Umpire Course in their second season of umpiring.

•  It is a prerequisite for umpires on Cadet, Intermediate and Open games and is compulsory for umpires wishing to progress to a Netball Australia C badge.

• The course is available online through Netball Learning and costs $45. This cost is not covered by Valleys Netball Club. This course is only required to be undertaken once.

• Evidence of completion of the course must be supplied to the Valleys Umpiring Convenor.