How to progress from C to B award
Progressing from a C to a B award umpire can seem like a daunting prospect, but really it isn't.
It is a requirement that to umpire in the Premier Division, you must hold a B umpiring award or be registered with the umpiring secretary as working towards your B award (i.e on a recognised mentoring programme).
Finding a mentor
As a county, we will do our best to give you assistance and advise you on finding a mentor to help you develop your umpiring. You should contact our umpiring secretary in the first instance if you are interested in working on your B award.
Mentoring is also available from Netball South West at the annual Regional Schools competition, held every January.
Getting umpiring experience
As of the 2011/12 season, once you have registered with the umpiring secretary and and joined a mentoring programme, you will be able to umpire in 1st division matches. You should keep a record of all the matches you umpire as evidence of your experience.
Once you have sufficient experience and are working towards your B award test, you can (with the umpiring secretary's permission) also umpire in Netball South West's Regional League 2 (the level above our county 1st division), the Regional Schools competition and the regional U14 and U16 leagues and tournaments.
Talented umpire programmes
Our parent region, Netball South West, run a Talented Young Umpire Programme (TYUP) to identify and train C award umpires between the ages of 14 and 21. They are also developing a similar Talented Umpire Programme (TUP) for umpires over 21.
Umpiring courses and workshops
Netball South West hold at least three B award courses per season throughout the region. The more interested umpires we can attract, the more courses they will hold in our area.
Netball South West also hold occasional TYUP/TUP workshops which are highly recommended. Again, with sufficient interest these courses will be organised in our area.
If you are interested in attending a course or workshop then contact our umpiring secretary.
Applying for your B award test
To apply for your test you must:
- be affiliated to England Netball,
- hold a C umpiring award,
- have attended a B award course in the past two years, and
- be endorsed by a B award tester (i.e. have completed a B award test assessment).
Once you have gained sufficient experience, you should complete a B award test application form and return it to the regional umpiring contact (as directed on the form).
The cost of the test is currently £40. You also need to meet any costs incurred by your assessor.
Other things you might be interested in
You may also be interested in becoming a qualified table official. After attending a course, you then receive a logbook which you need to complete each time you officiate, before you actual receive your award certificate. Contact the county umpiring secretary for more information.
