Over Labour weekend, Netball Northern hosted a series of development workshops and NZSS trial matches, providing valuable opportunities for players, umpires, and bench officials across the zone.
On Saturday, the Umpire Coach Workshop and NZ C Umpire Coach Assessment Workshop Trial took place in the Officials Room. The workshop focused on enhancing assessors’ ability to evaluate umpires at the NZ Umpire Award level. Participants worked on understanding key performance indicators, delivering consistent feedback, and developing practical skills in game observation, assessment discussions, and notetaking. Umpire coaches across the zone strengthened their capacity to support and develop emerging umpires.
Following on Sunday, umpires attended an interactive EyeQ Workshop. This session focused on the different types of vision used in umpiring, helping participants identify best practices and common mistakes. Umpires practiced targeted vision exercises and explored ways to integrate vision training into warm-ups and off-season preparation, enhancing their positioning, focus, and decision-making on court.
During the weekend, a full schedule of NZSS trial matches was managed by Northern Zone officials. Matches included:
- NZSS trial matches officiated by Kiani Smith, Natasha Mouat, and Sarah Jennings.
- NZSS A Team vs Netball ACT, officials: Emma Wilson & Ginny Peek, Res: Sarah Jennings.
- NZSS Team vs Pacific Pearls, officials: Caitlin Edwards & Kim Marriner, Res: Siobhan McFayden.
- NZSS A Team vs Pacific Pearls, officials: Anne Finau & Siobhan McFayden, Res: Ginny Peek.
- NZSS Team vs Netball ACT, officials: Matt Davis & Logan Assink, Res: Caitlin Edwards.
- Netball ACT vs Pacific Pearls, officials: Logan Assink & Emma Wilson, Res: Natasha Mouat.
- NZSS Team vs NZSS A Team, officials: Matt Davis & Kaitlyn Wade, Res: Sarah Jennings.
Earlier in the weekend, 16 participants attended a Bench Official development workshop in Whangarei, focusing on practical skills such as scorekeeping, timekeeping, and understanding match flow. The session also covered effective communication with umpires and coaches to ensure games run smoothly and fairly.
The Labour weekend activities provided significant development opportunities for umpires, bench officials, and players alike, strengthening the Northern Zone’s officiating pathways and supporting emerging netball talent.
