Five bench officials from across the Northern Zone have been selected to officiate at two of New Zealand's premier netball events; the New Zealand Open Championships and New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships, a milestone that shines a light on the dedicated, often overlooked team working at the edge of every court.
Among those selected are Catherine Ellett and Darren Beattie from North Harbour, two technical officials whose journeys into bench officiating reflect a growing pathway that is attracting passionate netball people from across the region, all looking to stay deeply connected to the game.
From the sidelines to the front row
For many, the transition into bench officiating begins with a love of the game and a body that has other ideas, but for Catherine and Darren, the journey started on the sidelines as parents.
Catherine played netball at primary school before stepping away from the game, only to find herself drawn back in when her daughter took up the sport. She began umpiring to stay involved, eventually discovering the bench as a way to "contribute to netball without getting injured,” a pathway that has kept her connected to the game ever since.
Darren's story follows a similar arc. A devoted sideline supporter for his daughter, he too found his way into umpiring before making the move to bench officiating. And it was there, he says, that he found something even a whistle couldn't offer, what he calls the best seat in the house.
"You're right at the edge of the action," Darren says. "And you see everything, not just the players, but the umpires, the tactics, the whole game unfolding in front of you."
That front-row perspective has given both officials a rare view of talent in the making. Darren recalls officiating at secondary school tournaments and watching players like the Heffernan sisters and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan long before they became household names. "You get to witness the next generation before the rest of the country does."
The invisible engine
What makes bench officiating demanding is the intense, layered concentration it requires. A full bench team typically consists of five roles: a Bench Manager, two scorers, and two timekeepers, each carrying distinct responsibilities that interlock to keep a match running cleanly.
Timekeeper 1 manages the arena clock and main scoreboard, while Timekeeper 2, often the busier of the two runs a series of manual backup clocks covering game time, intervals, countdowns, and player suspensions. Scorer 1 keeps their head down throughout the match, recording every goal attempt, successful goal, centre pass, and substitution on a large A3 sheet. Scorer 2 watches the court and calls out each event so Scorer 1 can record it accurately. The Bench Manager oversees the whole operation.
In televised or high-performance matches, officials wear headsets listening to umpires in one ear and statisticians in the other, while staying in constant communication with their bench partner. There are times, where sub-sheets or player names may not always be provided, officials must identify players instantly from unique visual cues: a pair of pink shoes, a distinctive hair bow, specific strapping on a wrist. "You're building a mental map of every player on that court before the whistle even blows," Darren explains.
A pathway to the top
Bench officiating follows a structured qualification pathway from Cadet through to Zone and National level, with credentials requiring revalidation every four years. It's a progression that rewards consistency and commitment, and one that Catherine credits with opening doors she hadn't expected.
"I wasn't sure I'd reach national level through umpiring or coaching," she says. "But this pathway gave me that opportunity." At her very first major tournament, Catherine was allocated to officiate a final, a mark of immediate trust from selectors and a moment she describes as both nerve-wracking and exhilarating.
A netball whānau
Beyond the technical demands, what both officials speak about most warmly is the community. A "big family of whānau," as they describe it, that stretches across the region and the country.
That culture of mentorship is alive across Northern Zone centres, where experienced officials regularly attend tournaments not to compete, but to be a familiar, supportive presence for newer members stepping into high-pressure environments for the first time. Darren has done exactly that for Catherine, showing up simply to offer guidance and a friendly face during her first tournament in 2024.
"It's a wonderful little community," Catherine says. "You don't feel like you're doing this alone."
As five of their own prepare to take the court at national level, the Northern Zone bench officiating community has every reason to be proud. Proof that the invisible engine of netball runs on passion, precision, and people.
Congratulations to the following officials who will be attending national tournaments this September/October 2026.
- Carollynn Frew (Howick Pakuranga) – Open Champs and NNZ Secondary School Champs
- Catherine Ellett (North Harbour) – NNZ Secondary School Champs
- Louise Houltha (North Harbour) – NNZ Secondary School Champs
- Denise Neal (North Harbour) – NNZ Secondary School Champs
- Darren Beattie (North Harbour) – NNZ Secondary School Champs
Domestic Events:
- Netball New Zealand Open Champs 10 – 13 September, Hawke’s Bay Netball Centre, Rodney Green Arena
- Netball New Zealand Secondary Schools Champs 6 – 9 October, Auckland Netball Centre, St Johns
