Umpiring
Umpire Testing
All beginner and C Award tests have to go through Kim Simmons, County Umpire Secretary. If you wish to be tested please contact us and an application form will be sent to you.
IMPORTANT - New Rules Forum
For anyone who missed the South Region workshop (22 June) on the updated IFNA Netball Rules by IFNA, HNA will be running its own forum at 7.30pm on Weds 3 September, at Winchester Rugby Club - no need to book, just turn up
Quick Links
Umpire Course Dates
Umpire Courses for 2008-09
HNA together with Sport Hampshire & IOW will be running umpire courses as detailed in the courses leaflet (opens MS Word doc, 673kb). All courses need to be self funding therefore a minimum of 20 persons are needed for each course. Please apply ASAP to avoid disappointment as places will be allocated on a first come first served basis..
Umpire Development Pathway
There are six different levels/awards in umpiring and each level must be reached before you can move further up the ladder.
- England netball Beginner Award
- England netball Youth Umpire Award
- FENA C Award
- FENA B Award
- FENA A Award
- Country Accreditation (National)
- IFNA International Award
To get started join a club and practice scoring, timekeeping and umpiring at training sessions.
- Attend a Beginner Umpiring Course (These are administered through the County or through local leagues)
- Take the FENA Beginner Award.
This is made up of a simple YES/No test consisting of 50 questions where 40 have to be answered correctly; this is followed by a practical test looking at minimal umpiring ability such as whistle, voice, procedures being able to penalise basic infringements. - Gain further experience by umpiring appropriate matches such as friendly matches, schools, and league matches if the Beginner award is accepted.
- Attend a C Award course, these are often organised at local league level but also administered by the County Association.
- Take the FENA C Award
This is made up of a test paper consisting of 20 questions requiring YES/NO answers, where a minimum of 17 questions need to be answered correctly. Then a practical test of a minimum of 30 minutes where umpires must show their ability in the application of the rules and controlling the game by:
- Correct use of voice, whistle and terminology
- Positioning and movement
- Penalising correctly, obvious infringements of the rules
- Appearance and manner
- Ability to score correctly, and call the score at each centre pass
- Continue Umpiring appropriate matches, such as local league and club events and Regional events where the C Award is acceptable.
- Attend a B award Course (This is administered through the Regional Association) After the course gain further umpiring experience. You will need an assessment to say you are ready to take your test.
- Take the FENA B Award
Candidates are required to umpire a good standard game for the duration of one hour. They will be expected to control a high proportion of faults which occur in the obvious line of vision and to demonstrate some ability to see and control faults in off the ball situations. Accurate terminology, effective communication, fitness combined with wise movement are all expected to be evident. They must answer satisfactorily a minimum of 7 oral questions from 10 questions selected by the Testers from a prepared booklet.
As a B award umpire you are eligible to:
- Umpire at Regional Leagues and some National Events (subject to passing a fitness test)
- Take the Umpire Tutor Award
- Become a Tester for the C and B Award
- Progress to the A Award
- Gain umpiring experience by making yourself available for Regional and National events.
To progress to the 'A' Award candidates must have had at least one year's experience in umpiring various types of matches such as club, regional etc since passing the B Award. The 'A' Award will involve candidates taking a written paper held twice a year in May and November and lasts 3 hours in which different types of questions relating to all sections of the current rules book need to be answered correctly.
You must complete a log of the matches you umpire (Blue Card). When this is complete and you have gained a Pass on your written paper you can ask to have an assessment. When this is gained you can apply to take your A test.
Candidates will be watched for a minimum period of one hour on a high level premier/national match and must satisfy the Testers in:
- Practical umpiring ability
- Answering oral questions, either by explanation or at the candidates discretion, by demonstration
As an A Award umpire you are eligible to:
- Umpire at National events including leagues and tournaments (after completing a fitness test), England training sessions
- Become a Tester for C, B and A Award
- Assistance to progress to the A Award and ultimately to the National Accreditation and International Award may be sought via England Netball Association.
Rule Query Help
If you have any rules queries you would like to raise you can either email England Netball direct on info@englandnetball.co.uk or email HNA on the enquiry form and we will find you an answer.
If You Want a Course
First, check the course dates at the top of this page. If you want to attend a course on any of the umpire awards or become a table official contact HNA on the enquiry form and we will give you more information.
Latest News