Meet Zak Middleton, NZ A Umpire from Auckland Netball Centre.
Basic Info
Name: Zak Middleton
Age: 33
Netball Centre: Auckland Netball Centre
Umpire Qualification: NZ A
When did you start umpiring and how did you get started?
I started umpiring more by accident than design, I was in my final year at University doing my placement at Auckland Netball Centre and was 22 years old at the time.
One day there was a beginner umpire workshop being delivered, so I thought I would tag along. The class was interactive and pretty straight forward for a beginner, and we sat our Centre Theory Test at the end of the class.
The next week I was out there umpiring the Intermediate A grade on a Tuesday night and received my Centre Practical a couple of months later in the Secondary School Competition.
Later that year I was playing for the NZ U23 Men’s and Mixed squad in Australia and was chatting with our touring umpire, Gareth Fowler (National Umpire Squad Member) about umpiring. His suggested I look to transition from playing to umpiring as the opportunities are endless, and it was the same pathway he was advised to take himself. The following week I ended up umpiring at the NZ Men’s Nationals in Auckland and never looked back from that point.
Why do you enjoy umpiring?
As a male I love that umpiring offers me a pathway to the highest level in a sport that I love. The aim is of course to become an International Umpire and attend major events, such as the World Youth Champs, World Champs and Commonwealth Games.
The challenge of umpiring a game that is complex in nature, where no two games are the same and there is always something to work on.
The great thing about Netball is the community of people that you meet along every stage of the journey, all sharing the same passion and love for the game, regardless of their abilities or experiences.
What has been your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge has always been around managing my own expectations and learning to understand that becoming a High-Performance umpire takes considerable time. There is no quick path or shortcut to get to where you want (or where you think you should be), and sometimes you may go backwards to then go forwards, or simply have to wait for your turn behind others.
There were times where umpiring became too consuming in my life, and I was too focused on outcomes and consequences, rather than my own development and having fun. It made me feel unhealthy and other parts of my life began to suffer as a result.
Not being able to umpire domestically in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Beko Netball League was a major disappointment at the time, but it provided me time to reflect on myself and why I am involved in the game.
What has been your best experience?
From a holistic point of view my best experience was having that year away from umpiring domestically in 2020. Although it hurt at the time it gave me time to reflect and made me appreciate the other things I have in life, including a brand-new family, our own home, and other sports and interests. Netball was important to me, but it did not define me as a person.
I found clarity around why I umpire (fun, ambition and development) and I went into games feeling refreshed, focused, wanting to have fun, and not too worried about outcomes or consequences.
As a result, I had an amazing 2021 season, including in the National Netball League Final and being awarded the NNL Umpire of the Year at the NZ Netball Awards.
If I look back at the events I have been involved in, some memorable experiences include umpiring the finals of the U17 Nationals (my first ever tournament), U19 Nationals, National Netball League, and umpiring the NZ Men against Australia.
What would be your best advice for new umpires?
There are some great people in the netball community who are always willing to help you, find someone who you can build a positive relationship with, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or to try things.
Find opportunities to really stretch yourself, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes as mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow.
Remember to always have fun, and the longer the journey the more memories you can make along the way.