Charley Fear and Elle Rumbal were among the Pukekohe Netball Centre umpires who headed south to the 2026 U14 and U16 National Tournament in New Plymouth – one at her first nationals, one on her third trip with the same rep team. Both came home with something to work on.
Charley Fear – first nationals, first final
Charley Fear is 17, a Year 13 student at Pukekohe High School, and plans to head to AUT University next year to study Sport and Exercise Science. She picked up a whistle after signing up to a Learn to Umpire course with her mates at her local centre, moved into club umpiring with a couple of mentors, then onto the centre draw – where she met her first umpire coach, Becca, who still works with her today.
She holds her New Zealand Theory award and is chasing her NZ C badge. Taranaki was her first national tournament with a whistle, though she'd played at it before.
"I found out I'd been selected after a coach told me they'd requested me to come down. It was a very exciting moment – going to this tournament was one of my goals for myself this year."
On a Saturday at home, Charley umpires top grade, mostly adults and older teenagers. Taranaki was different.
"The standard of play I umpired in Taranaki was probably faster than I usually umpire, but still had the same skill level even though these girls were younger – especially on day two and three when I was doing the U16 A grade top eight."
Her toughest game was Waitakere 1 v Howick.
"It was a very close game. The hardest part for me was having the crowds behind me who were very loud and supportive of their teams. I found myself attempting to block it out and tried my hardest not to get their reactions in my head and to stay confident with myself. I found myself running off adrenaline in the end, but I was still happy with the performance I put in."
Two appointments on finals day stood out: reserve umpire for the U14 final, and the U16A 5th v 6th playoff.
"When I looked at the draw the night before the final day, I felt very honoured and proud to be chosen as reserve for the 14s. My goal from that day was to earn myself a spot on a final, and that is exactly what I achieved. Although I wasn't needed as an umpire during the final, I stayed the whole time and made sure everyone was doing great."
"Being in the top eight game of U16A was not something I envisioned happening, but I feel like that made me go out and give it my all even more. I gave every minute of each game 100% because I knew it was a privilege to be on those games."
Most of the feedback Charley received was about positioning – where she needs to be on the sideline and goal line – and that's what's coming back to the local courts with her. Next up: the NZ C badge, UNISS later this year, and a return to U14/U16 nationals, with U18s in her sights.
Her advice to any young umpire weighing up a tournament: "Be confident in yourself and do it, because the support and feedback you get at tournaments will help you improve as an umpire. It's also very exciting umpiring different regions and teams than you're used to."
Elle Rumbal – three years with the same team
Elle Rumbal came to umpiring the practical way: she wanted to stay in the game once she stopped playing. Three seasons on, she's the dedicated umpire for Pukekohe's U14 rep team, start of season to end.
"I feel it is always good for the teams to have continuity," she says.
Her week is training for her daughter on Tuesday, her own training on Thursday, then court–side all day Saturday, 8am to 4pm. She holds her Zone Theory award, is working towards Zone Practical, and has started on umpire coaching.
The tough part in Taranaki was the physicality in the game.
"Especially when a team knew they were down. It was just a matter of being proactive and stamping on it quickly, so they knew it wouldn't be tolerated."
The off court time is what she rates most.
"I always love being with the teams at our accommodation and joining in on the dinners and activities they do in the evening. By being with the teams it certainly gives you the opportunity to bond with the girls, coaches and managers."
Long term, Elle plans to keep umpiring as long as she can, then shift to the other side of it – coaching the young umpires coming through.
"I'd say to any young umpire, do tournaments when you get the chance. They're a great opportunity to experience coaching from other centres' coaches and different styles of play from other regions. And you meet some really lovely other umpires and make some great memories and friends."
Interested in umpiring? Talk to your local netball centre about Umpire courses.
