When someone asks Katrina Alkema if she can help, her answer is always the same: "I can give it a go." That attitude has quietly transformed umpiring culture at Whangārei Netball Centre and earned her recognition as our first 2026 PIC Insurance Brokers Volunteer of the Month.
Nominated by Centre Manager Keri Clendon, Katrina coordinates umpires across twilight and social leagues, carefully matching officials to games and mentoring the next generation of referees. The result, according to her nomination, is a noticeable improvement in the culture and overall vibe at the Centre.
"Just seeing the growth from a baby umpire then going all the way into Year 9 ... it really really touches the heart when that happens because it says in my head that I've done my job."
- Katrina Alkema
How it started
Katrina's path into volunteering began with a shoulder tap. Already coaching umpires, she was simply asked whether she knew how to help with a task. She said yes, rolled up her sleeves, and never looked back.
"I was hooked," she says.
That willingness to step in and discover what she was capable of, now shapes how she encourages others to get involved.
A family built on netball
Netball isn't just a weekend hobby for Katrina, it's the fabric of her family life. Her partner and son coach and umpire alongside her, while her three daughters take to the court as players.
"Our whole family is netball orientated," she says. "The whole family."
That deep-rooted love for the game and the community it creates is what keeps her showing up, season after season.
The reward of mentoring
For Katrina, the most meaningful part of her role isn't the coordination or the logistics, it's the moments of growth she gets to witness up close. Watching a nervous newcomer develop the confidence and composure to handle increasingly intense games is, she says, deeply moving.
Each step forward a young umpire takes is a quiet confirmation that her investment of time and energy is making a real difference.
"Just if you don't know, go and have a crack ... it's really just seeing what strengths you've got and the skills you've got and just take the opportunity."
- Katrina Alkema
Building a supportive environment
Katrina's approach to developing umpires is rooted in connection rather than instruction. She is passionate about pairing less experienced officials with seasoned veterans, creating a learning environment where confidence grows naturally through proximity and shared experience.
It's a philosophy that reflects her belief that people rise when they feel supported, not just assessed.
What volunteering has taught her
Katrina didn't set out to become an umpire coordinator. She simply kept saying yes and in doing so, discovered strengths she didn't know she had.
Volunteering, in her view, is less about what you already know and more about what you're willing to find out. Each new task revealed a new capability, and that journey of self-discovery is something she now hopes to pass on to others who are just starting out.
Her advice to you
For anyone sitting on the fence about volunteering, Katrina keeps it simple. Start with something small — grab a scorecard, help in the control room, assist with an injury. Let Centres give people a go.
"Come and give it a go," she says. "You'll never know what it's like until you give it a go yourself."
Congratulations Katrina, a well-deserved recognition for the passion and mahi you bring to Whangārei Netball every season.
As our PIC Insurance Broker Volunteer of the Month, Katrina wins tickets, food and beverage and a special game-day walkthrough at an upcoming GoSweetSpot Mystics game, a fitting reward for someone who gives so much to the game she loves.
A huge thank you to PIC Insurance Brokers for making this recognition possible and for celebrating the volunteers who make netball happen across the zone.
