Meet Narelle Parker, Centre Badge umpire from Kaipara Netball Centre.
Basic Info
Name: Narelle Parker
Age: 42
Netball Centre: Kaipara Netball Centre
Umpire Qualification: Centre Badge
About you: I'm a mum of three girls aged 4, 8 & 10 and keep myself busy with our two businesses as well as mum taxi duties!
When did you start umpiring and how did you get started?
I started umpiring when I was only 9 years old. I come from a big netball family being 1 of 10 children & it was just something I loved watching on the sideline & really wanted to do.
Why do you enjoy umpiring?
I love the challenge, the fast pace of a good game and at the end of the game it really makes me feel satisfied watching the kids I'm umpiring each week having a great time and learning how to play a clean & safe game.
What has been your biggest challenge?
I would say getting back into umpiring as an adult, my fitness.
What has been your best experience?
I love a good finals game, so I umpired one of our A grade for our year 5 & 6 final and the fast pace of the game and the atmosphere was electric. It was not only a great game to watch but to umpire I was on a high for the rest of the day.
What would be your best advice for new umpires?
Keep calm, be confident and just love the learning process and enjoy the experience, there is nothing like it.