Young umpires up for challenge

The umpiring of local netball competitions appears to be in good hands as a junior umpiring development squad is formed by the Broome Netball Association.

The initiative aims to secure quality umpires into the future, with 20 squad members guided by senior umpiring mentors to fulfil the new official rules of netball, introduced in January.

Broome Netball Association umpire development officer Dee Hayward said the recruits were adapting to the rules, which signal goals with a raised arm, and abandon the practice of whistling out-of-court throws.

She said the new trainees also relished the opportunity to test their skills during Saturday morning matches.

“Our first priority is for the girls to use a confident and loud whistle and then focus on their positioning on the court,” she said.

There were mixed results in round 4 of the Broome Junior Netball Competition held over the weekend.

In the 10’s and under division, Broome Blitzers defeated Diamonds and Fast Breakers narrowly beat Saints.

In the 12’s, Scorpions beat Seastars, Cyclones blew Bullets away by 16 points, Pearl Power were defeated by Diamonds, The Saints overpowered The Flames, and Fast Breakers rounded out the league with a massive win over McKeno Magic.

In the 14’s, Bullets Six beat Bullets Seven and NWC 12s overwhelmed the older The Squad, while in the 17s and under competition, Bullets Five defeated BGA One and Blue Stars crushed BGA Two 69-8.