On Saturdays at Auckland Netball Centre, a corner of the umpire room has become a gathering place for the next generation.
Umpire Lead, Lorraine Hill describes young umpires returning from games, finding each other and talking through what happened on court. They share experiences and ask questions of the experienced umpires around them.
For Lorraine, those conversations show the centre’s development squad is making a difference.
“If we hadn’t had that, there wouldn’t be the connection between the young ones coming through and the ones that are already there.”
That connection is helping young umpires like Jemma Jones and Jessy Flack find their confidence and discover where umpiring could lead.
Auckland Netball reintroduced its Student Development Squad in 2025, rebuilding an initiative that had fallen away around COVID. This year, it became the Zone Development Squad, supporting young umpires working towards or holding their Zone theory.
Lorraine had seen young people achieving Centre awards and wanted to strengthen what came next. Building direct relationships helped connect them with coaching and opportunities to progress.
For Year 13 Epsom Girls Grammar School student Jessy, joining the squad last year opened up possibilities she had never considered.
Her first experience with a whistle had been very different. Her dad encouraged her to try umpiring, hoping it would help his shy 11-year-old daughter gain confidence. She began umpiring younger players at Windmill, supported by Fran Simpson.
“I remember the first game, I think I blew the whistle like twice, and afterwards I was like, ‘I never want to do that again.’”
She kept going. Through the squad, she found a comfortable place to ask questions and learn from experienced umpires.
This year, Jessy achieved her Zone award and New Zealand Theory, and stepped up to Secondary School Premier 1 games. Her proudest moment was officiating the Premier 2 final in the Auckland Netball Secondary Schools competition.
“Having someone believe in you, it just gives you so much confidence to keep going.”
Lorraine says confidence is a key focus.
“Some of them are very confident when having conversations with you, but not so confident once they’re actually out there with their whistle.”
Squad sessions include rules discussions, guest speakers and watching premier club umpires. Members study positioning, timing of movement and communication skills, connecting their learning with what happens on court. Experienced adult umpires alongside them as they step into Premier Secondary School games.
For Year 12 Glendowie College student Jemma, that support made a memorable difference.
After moving to New Zealand in 2024, she became interested in umpiring through a session Lorraine delivered for school coaches. Already a player and coach, Jemma wanted to better understand the rules.
She earned her Centre badge in 2025, joined the squad this year and achieved her Zone Theory.
Walking in for her first indoor Secondary School Premier 2 game was nerve-racking. Then other umpires greeted her with cheers.
With her parents watching, Lorraine on the sideline and an experienced co-umpire beside her, she felt supported.
“It’s not like you’re alone in it. You’ve got your co-umpire and you’ve got the people behind you supporting you.”
Both students extended their learning at the North Island Junior Championships (U14 and U16).
For Jemma, encountering unfamiliar teams sharpened her observation skills. Feedback about her movement helped her work on positioning herself confidently to see the play. Being allocated the Year 9 A final later in the season was another proud moment.
For Jessy, a tightly contested under-16 match tested her composure. She drew on breathing and reset strategies discussed through the squad, refocusing when the ball was at the other end.
The experience also brought friendship. Jemma says she and Jessy connected at the championships and have since become close friends.
“It’s been brilliant, the bonds that it’s helped me build.”
Lorraine hopes the wider netball community recognises that young umpires need room to learn.
“I would really like them to understand that the umpires are in a learning situation as well,” she says. “There’s a lot of decisions to make in a very short time.”
Both students are looking ahead. Jemma is aiming for her Zone award next season, then New Zealand Theory. Jessy plans to continue umpiring while studying exercise and sports science at Otago University next year, and hopes to help other young umpires build their confidence.
The student who once barely blew her whistle now comfortably introduces herself to new co-umpires.
“It’s taught me how to be a really confident, outspoken person,” Jessy says.
“You really don’t know what it will become unless you just give it a go.”
Interested in umpiring? Talk to your local netball centre about Umpire courses.
