The PNUA umpire coaching panel is a group of experienced umpires with a range of qualifications (from C to AA). This panel works together to establish a pathway for umpires to enhance their skills, and potentially gain further qualifications. This panel will be in the field on a Saturday coaching PNUA umpires, just like a coach to any player.

Through this panel we aspire to benefit both our umpires and umpire coaches alike, to create a mutually beneficial system for all [inclusive of players, coaches and clubs]. This panel allows us to open our umpires up to a broad range of umpire coaches, benefiting from their extensive experience. This pool creates a community for all umpires to socialise and exchange ideas, and support each other as required. In doing so it reduces the burden on any one umpire to be available every week, as we have the availability to cover them. For our umpire coaches it provides the opportunity to continue to umpire one game, whilst coaching another if they choose to do so. We are also now in the position to offer remuneration to our umpire coaches in return and thanks for their service. As previously mentioned this program provides an opportunity for advancement and recognition through our ability to test and badge umpires, and through the introduction of the PNUA x MPNFL Umpire of the Year award.

The panel with their combined experience will work together to create an established and visible pathway, for both umpires and umpire coaches alike. Through this pathway umpires will all be able to develop and progress, with an opportunity for advancement, promotions and recognition.
Our pathways will include;
Coaching C badged umpires to obtain their B badge, and
Coaching B badged umpires to work towards their A [ie. By getting talent identified by Netball Victoria umpire coach].
We will also always assist clubs that have umpires whom require assistance [ie. Such as screening them before their testing, and arrange testers for their C badge].

The aim of PNUA’s Umpire Coaching Panel is to ultimately improve the calibre of umpiring that we have in the MPNFL . In doing so we aim to allow the players to play the game to it’s full potential. As a result of the program we can progress into creating an elite pool of umpires, who can represent the Peninsula and surrounds, and hopefully one day our VNL teams. Not only do we aim to improve the quality and ranking of our umpires, but also our umpire coaches. We intend to align ourselves with Netball Victoria, and to potentially allow the opportunity to have our umpire coaches obtain their necessary credentials to become an accredited Netball Victoria umpire coach developer.

We have developed a program for each pathway utilising, and mirroring the guidelines established by Netball Australia, and the resources they have available:
These pathways include;
– C badge to B badge
– B badge to A badge.

Following the guidelines set by Netball Australia, this program bases its coaching strategies off the following competencies for each badge pathway.

– Communication and game management
– Positioning, vision and timing
– Contact
– Obstruction
– Advantage
– Minor infringements

We also have in place a voting system which will be completed by the scores from both teams to rate them from 1 to 5 against 3 criteria of expectations.

1. Professionalism = having a positive and professional rapport with their co-umpire, players, teams officials and spectators; being punctual to games and showing commitment on game day.

2. Presentation = physical appearance is neat and tidy (including white attires and hair tied back); open and approachable body language; welcoming, positive and firm (when appropriate) tone of voice; good use of hand signals and whistle to control the game.

3. Performance = umpire puts in the effort on game day, including being consistent when making calls, using the appropriate pace for the speed of the game and being positioned to obtain the best vision of play to officiate the game.

This voting system allows regular feedback to be actioned in order to maintain the high standards of umpiring we hold for our pool. If we receive feedback on an umpire’s performance, which ranks below 3, then a follow up procedure will be executed. This begins by sending an email to the club where they are given the opportunity to respond if they wish to and provide clarification on the reasoning for the rating. Depending on what transpires, the following outcomes could occur;

1. We create a GameFace video explanation to clarify a ruling

2. An umpire coach will be allocated to the umpire on one of their following games, and will address any performance issues face to face.

Over the course of the season, our intention is to have at least 2-4 games covered by an umpire coach around the Peninsula, to continue and maintain our presence and development.