If you ever considered picking up a whistle to become a netball umpire and may be in the long run, join the ranks of the top international umpires in the world, then the best starting point are the seminars hosted annually by the T&T Netball Association (TTNA) Umpires Sub Committee.
The role of an umpire is to help ensure matches are played safely and to the rules. The committee understands the need to provide officials with courses that are complete with expert knowledge, covering all areas of umpire and technical official's development so over two consecutive weekends next month, the seminars will be held commencing on October 15-16 and continuing on October 22-23.
The times scheduled for these sessions are on Saturdays from 9 am to 2.30 pm and Sundays 10 am to 3 pm. The cost is $25 per day excluding lunch.
The seminar, which will be facilitated by members of the committee with former international umpire Anne-Marie Dickson-Lewis operating as the convenor, will take place at the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union (SWWTU), Wrightson Road, Port of Spain. Subsequent to the seminars, there will be a netball umpires theoretical examination on October 29.
All leagues, associates and communities are asked to attend these sessions. "We look forward to participation by members, which is one of the many ways to assist with the development and improvement of Netball throughout the twin island," said Dickson-Lewis.
The other members of the committe are past convenor-Brenda Prince; ex-officio Carol Demming-Gittens, Charmaine Lord-Pope, Grace Parkinson-Griffith, Charmaine Archer, Joel Young-Strong and Lilia Mathurin-Cameron.
Both Young-Strong and Mathurin-Cameron are on the current list of 36 elite umpires entrusted with enforcing the rules and arbitrating on matters arising from a play at the international level.
"If we don't have proper umpires then we will not see the improvements in the game," said the former international umpire, who has been involved in officiating over the past 20 years.
There are two key strands to officiating, match officials (two umpires and a reserve) and technical officials (scorers, timekeepers and any other officials specified for an event). In one's quest to become an umpire there are three levels that the individual must partake in, from beginner to intermediate and then advance. Over time if the individual is recognised for having potential then he/she can become an Itid (international talent identify).
"When the person becomes an Itid then they will be looked on to see if they can handle officiating at the regional level so they will get a chance to officiate at the Caribbean Netball Association's tournament, like the Under-16s, then once the individual continues to practice at a high level, earning her International Umpires Award (IUA) will be next in line, once the relative exams as well as fitness test are passed."
She hopes that more youth become interested in the officiating. "My aim is to have four or five international umpire coming out of T&T," said Dickson-Lewis, who is also the coach of Horizon netball team.