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When Tyler Campbell first volunteered at the Waiuku Netball Centre, she was sixteen – almost certainly the youngest person in the room. Starting out as a club delegate, she quickly took on junior coordination responsibilities, finding herself in committee meetings alongside life members with decades of experience. It wasn't always familiar territory, but it shaped a leadership philosophy that has stayed with her ever since: if something isn't working, find a way to make it work.
Five bench officials from across the Northern Zone have been selected to officiate at two of New Zealand's premier netball events; the New Zealand Open Championships and New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships, a milestone that shines a light on the dedicated, often overlooked team working at the edge of every court.
Melissa Bessell has coached netball in Fiji, Wales, and England. She has taken a national team from 19th in the world to 8th. She has a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation, a Masters in Professional Coaching, and seven children. And now, she's back where it all began, at Netball Waitakere, coaching the Waitakere Women’s Opens and serving as Netball Development Manager.
If you're already training and playing netball, you're off to a strong start. The fitness, discipline, and team mindset you bring to the court are the same qualities New Zealand Police are looking for in their recruits.
In sport, support is not a nice to have. It is part of how you move, focus and perform.
A recent session at Netball North Harbour reminded us that officiating at the highest level demands the same dedication to physical preparation as playing the game itself, and with testing opportunities throughout the year, there are plenty of chances to step up.
The Netball Rodney Preseason Development Programme returned on 23 April with its biggest turnout since before Covid, welcoming 52 players from Year 7 and above alongside 11 observing coaches.
A movement to transform what happens on the sidelines and in the car on the way home.