The Green Shirt Umpiring Program is a practical umpiring course aimed at developing and training beginner umpires, of all ages, to ultimately attain their National C badge. Introduced to netball associations in 2007, the program has continued to grow, introducing an increasing number of individuals to umpiring and assisting to develop their umpiring. This program also aims to create and develop the supportive culture required to make umpiring a valued and attractive pathway to engagement and participation in netball.
Registrations for the 2023 program is now open – you can register for the program via the Netball Learning Portal – search for ‘Green Shirt’.
Any questions can be directed to KNA’s Umpiring Development Officer : kna.audo@gmail.com
What are the benefits for me as an umpire?
If you really want to learn to umpire, there is no better start than the Green Shirt Program. The training received in the first month is second to none, delivered by experienced umpire coaches. The aim of the program is to ensure that new umpires are easily recognisable and are fully supported by the association, reducing the pressure and lessening abuse and conflict directed towards new officials.
Benefits of this program include:
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Ongoing coaching by the Umpire Coaching Team;
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Support in the event of issues with spectators, coaches or players
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Develop umpiring skills and techniques;
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Learning the correct procedures and protocols of umpiring; and
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Start your journey on the umpire pathway.
Requirements for Participation:
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Be a financial member of KNA
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Complete the Foundation Umpire Course
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Complete the Rules of Netball Theory Exam also through the MyNetball learning tab
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Submit certificates of completion of online components with application to kna.audo@gmail.com
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Attend a minimum of two of the three scheduled umpiring workshops during the season
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Be available to be rostered on to umpire a minimum of one game every three rounds
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These games are rostered separately to any club duties
How much does it cost?
The cost of the program $35.00 (paid to KDNA) as well as the Foundation Umpire Education Course $45 (paid to Netball Australia when registering on line). If a participant has already completed this course in the past 4 years, then you will not be required to complete the course again. This includes eight hours of training. Umpiring matches with umpire support, subsidized badging costs when the umpires are ready to be tested and the loan of a green polo shirt, being supplied with a whistle and official rule book.
At the end of the course umpires are required to complete the Rules of Netball Theory Examination which costs $12.50 at the participants expense. (Please note the prices of these courses are set by Netball Australia and are subject to change.)
The online learning can be accessed through this link;
https://learning.netball.com.au/login/index.php
What benefits are there to learning through this program?
Benefits of this program include:
- Ongoing coaching by the Umpire Coaching Team;
- Support in the event of issues with spectators, coaches or players
- Develop umpiring skills and techniques;
- Learning the correct procedures and protocols of umpiring; and
- Develop umpire pathways.
Is the program only available to young umpires, is there an age barrier?
Absolutely not! We encourage more mature umpires to take part.
The recommended lower age is those in Year 6, they will have confidence (usually in spades before they go to high school!) and have played full rules netball. Umpires who are younger can apply, however, they MUST have completed at least ONE winter season playing at full rules. If they have not played full rules netball they must wait until they are in year 6.
Why Umpire?
We cannot play the game we love without officials. By training to become an umpire, you will learn the rules of the game and know how to apply them. Umpiring is so much more than blowing a whistle, you must be able to push yourself to stand up and apply the rules. It teaches you how to be brave, apply knowledge in a split second and how to read a game of netball. In turn, you take away knowledge to add to your playing game and life skills which are pertinent to everyone – both younger and more mature.
It pays! Whilst it shouldn’t be your only reason, the sport loses lots of young people due to them having to get Saturday jobs, so why not earn some money whilst giving back to the sport you love.
How do I sign up?
Review the programs offered and then simply complete the application form and submit it back to KDNAUmpires@outlook.com.
Why enrol in the program?
The Green Shirt Program is a practical umpiring course that was introduced to netball associations in 2007 it has been continually adapted to enable us to provide a program that is proven to work. It’s aimed at training and developing umpires, of all ages, towards their National C accreditation.
The Winter program is run on a Friday afternoon and then moving on to actual umpiring on Saturdays, over the two morning timeslots. This provides us with a range of game levels, and allows Umpire Coaches to be there and provide support.