Umpiring in the Bedford & District Netball League

Welcome to Umpiring!

We currently have in excess of 120 England Netball qualified umpires affiliated to the clubs in the League, umpiring across 6 divisions. Our umpiring expertise ranges from the most experienced level A Award to those just embarking on their umpiring careers at Beginner Award level.

We have England Netball qualified tutors, testers, mentors and assessors within the League and our aim is to provide a centre of excellence with regards to the development of umpires. This will ensure that our umpires perform in accordance with the relevant umpiring standards as defined by England Netball.

Umpiring Secretary and Subcommittee

Umpiring within the League is managed by Kirsty Lawes, supported by a Sub-committee – Fran Smith, Jackie Stigwood and Emma Sears.

Courses

For up to date details on umpiring courses in the Bedford area, please click here. These courses are managed by the League. We always need more umpires, so if you want to give it a go, then you are more than welcome to attend one of our beginner courses.

Development

If anyone wishes to progress their umpiring or just want some advice then please do not hesitate to contact the Umpiring Secretary, Kirsty Lawes, or one of the Subcommittee (contact details are in the League Handbook).

Level of Award to Umpire Games

In order to umpire in the B&DNL you must have successfully passed the England Netball Beginner Award. To qualify to umpire the Premier and First Division games you must have obtained England Netball’s ‘C’ Award or above (or until 31st August 2012 the Preliminary Award).

Widening Umpiring Experience

It is suggested that umpires do not umpire for the same team on a regular basis. Although undertaken with good intentions it does not benefit the team or the umpire’s development, as both need a wider range of experience. This also guards against any accusation from the opposition of over familiarity between the team and umpire.

With this in mind an umpire may not umpire more than 15 games for the same team in any one season (excluding Summer League).

We now have the Gary Burgess Award which is given to the umpire who umpires for the highest number of different teams in the league – Jeanette Johnson has won the for the 1st two years – who is going to topple her this season – why not make it you and also help out the teams!!

Consult your umpire handbook if you have any questions and of course as umpires let your league know of any information you would like added to your handbooks.

Working Together

Remember you and your fellow umpire are a team, working together. Get together before the game starts, during the breaks to discuss aspects of the play which may need attention, court conditions etc. and after the game to complete the cards. Support each other and discuss rule interpretation, stay with each other during the breaks, do not stand with the teams. You are an official of the game and therefore you must be, and be seen to be, impartial.

The best advice the B&DNL can give you is KNOW YOUR RULES AND ENJOY YOUR UMPIRING.