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.
There are three testing windows each year, with the next round coming up in June, and clear pathways for umpires working toward New Zealand awards and national tournament selection.
Testing windows per year:
- March
- June
- September
Upcoming focus:
- June testing window (next opportunity)
Awards and pathways:
- New Zealand Umpire Awards
- National tournament selection opportunities
When the final whistle blows, the umpires are often the last people on court, and for good reason. They've been moving every bit as much as the players. This past weekend, Netball Northern umpires gathered at Netball North Harbour for fitness testing, arriving with the same energy and focus they bring to every game they officiate.
For many outside the officiating community, it can come as a surprise just how physically demanding the role is. Each umpire owns their half of the court, but their focus, movement and decision-making span the full breadth of the game. Staying match-fit isn't optional; it is essential.
For Sharleen Morrell, Umpire Lead at Netball Northern, the weekend was a reflection of the culture being built across the region, driven by umpire coaches working with umpires at every centre.
“Our umpires treat this as their sport, and we encourage them to train like it.” – Sharleen Morrell, Umpire Lead, Netball Northern
The Test
One of the key assessments is the Yo-Yo Test, a progressively challenging shuttle run that measures how well an umpire's heart and lungs can handle sustained running.
Umpires race against a series of beeps that get faster with every level, running 20 metres out and back with just ten seconds to recover before the next round begins. As the levels climb, so does the intensity. It's a tough test, but a revealing one and a perfect match for the demands of a fast-paced netball match.
How the Yo-Yo Test works
Start at a middle cone, run 20 metres to a far cone and back. Keep pace with a beep recording - the beeps get faster as levels increase. After each 40-metre lap, you get 10 seconds to recover before the next run starts. Two warnings for missing the line or arriving late and your test is over. The goal? Keep going as long as possible.
Why it matters
Fitness testing is first and foremost for the benefit of the umpires themselves, giving them an honest benchmark and a goal to work towards.
But for some, the stakes are even higher. Umpires who aspire to a New Zealand Award or selection for Netball New Zealand National tournaments must reach a certain benchmark, making fitness preparation a critical part of their development pathway.
A fatigued umpire is a less effective one. Positioning suffers, decision-making slows, and the quality of the contest is affected. By committing to regular fitness assessments, our umpires hold themselves to the same standard of preparation that we expect from the athletes they oversee.
Testing deadlines - three times a year
- 15 March - First deadline of the year
- 1 June - Mid-year deadline (next one coming up)
- September - End of season deadline
Netball Northern is proud of the officiating group developed across the region. These are individuals who give up their weekends, study the rulebook, and put in the physical work to back it all up. They are athletes in their own right.
Congratulations to all umpires who took part in the recent session at Netball North Harbour. Your dedication to the craft, on and off the court, is what makes our competitions better for everyone involved.
Coming up in May: Many centres across the region run testing for each of the three annual deadlines. If you'd like to know more about testing at your centre, talk to your Umpire Convenor and they'll have all the details you need.
