So, you want to be a netball umpire?
Do you want to learn to umpire netball but you don’t know if it’s the right time to start?
As an umpire convenor, I often get asked two questions:
How old does someone need to be to start umpiring?
What is the best age to start?
I’ll answer these two questions for you, and hopefully you’ll have some clarity to make a decision!
How old do you need to be to be a netball umpire?
The good news is that there’s no minimum OR maximum age requirement to become an umpire!
Some parents worry their child may be too young and not emotionally ready to face players and spectators, which is a very valid concern.
Most adults think they’re too old to start learning, but soon realise it’s a great way to stay connected to the game and community they love, especially if they’re unable to play anymore.
Thankfully, umpiring can be much easier on the knees and ankles because you don’t have to change direction as unexpectedly.
When is the best time to start umpiring?
While the International Netball Federation (INF) has no minimum age to start umpiring, it’s a good idea to check any age requirements with your club’s umpire convenor. Individual associations or clubs may have their own by-laws to adhere to.
If you’re ready to spend some time reading and learning the rules, it could be a great time to start. Here are personality traits I typically see (in young umpires in particular) who start out really strong:
Known by family and/or friends to be a bit sassy or bossy
Is a rule follower and makes sure other people follow rules
Is a perfectionist
Now, this isn’t to say that you’ll only be a good umpire if you possess these qualities. That’s definitely not true.
In my experience, those who show the above traits usually do well no matter what, whether they start at 11 years old or later on.
I find that umpires with the below personality traits also do well, but are stronger umpires and more likely to stick to umpiring if they start when they’re at least 14 years old:
Is shy and softly spoken
Gets imposter syndrome and second guesses themselves
Often worries about making mistakes and upsetting people
If you fit somewhere between these two categories, 13 years old is likely a good time to start.
Remember—this is just my experience, and there are always exceptions and outliers. You could be shy and petrified and absolutely smash it out of the park on your first game (I have also seen this before).
Takeaway
To sum up, there’s no definitive correct time to start umpiring (sorry to all the black-and-white thinkers like me).
But, there is a best time, which will vary from person to person.
You should consider your personality type and if you’re ready to put in the time practising. The most important consideration is if you think you can bounce back quickly when it gets hard.
There’s no rule against giving it a try, then taking a break and trying again the following season!
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In the next post I’ll talk about the why behind umpiring. Subscribe to the email list to receive blog updates with occasional bonus resources!
