The 14 umpires will now progress to the next phase of assessment, where they will get the opportunity to officiate matches in the opening three rounds of the Suncorp Super Netball, with final selection of up to 12 for the remainder of the season to take place after Round 3.
Recently appointed Stacey Campton will guide the group of talented officials as Performance Umpiring Coach, alongside Debra Farrelly as Performance Umpire Selector.
Campton and Farrelly bring extensive experience and knowledge to the High-Performance Umpire Squad Program, having represented Australia at the highest level as umpires in multiple international events.
The program will have a renewed focus in 2021 on retaining and further developing Australia’s high-performance umpires, supported by high quality resources, and combined with an emphasis on high performance behaviours, values, and disciplines on and off the court.
This year’s squad will also be the first group to experience a change in selection and assessment practice, after the comprehensive State of the Game review undertaken in 2020 recommended the elevation of umpires into the high-performance pathway.
A shift which has seen widespread support and collaboration from all state and territory netball member organisations to improve the support to umpires, contribute to quality resources and provide leadership in officiating excellence in the sport.
With the High-Performance Umpire Squad named, Netball Australia, together with Member Organisations will also look to explore ways of supporting the emerging talent of umpires that were identified through the open expression of interest process in selecting this year’s squad.
2021 High Performance Umpire Squad:
- Andrea Booth
- Bronwen Adams
- Georgina Sulley-Beales
- James Matthews
- Jemma Cook
- Justin Barnes
- Kate Wright
- Marc Henning
- Michelle Phippard
- Nathan Begley
- Tamara Welsford
- Tara Warner
- Tayla Favell
- Tim Marshall
