Emerging Talent Umpire Group

Netball Central Zone (NCZ) has selected 10 umpires to be part of its first Emerging Talent Umpire Group.

NCZ Umpire Emerging Talent Group:

Alicia Odering Wellington
Jamie Manuel Wellington
Gemma Kennedy Wellington
Myron Elkington Wellington
Aimee Maulder Hawkes Bay
Kelly Ives Hawkes Bay
Paddy Leatherby Taranaki
Angela Jowitt Taranaki
Liam Minhinnick Manawatu
Jessica Williams Horowhenua

Linda Liggins, along with Anne Blomfield from Netball New Zealand’s (NNZ) Umpire Development Group, were involved in the selection process. They focused on those umpires who showed the ability to move to a more elite level.

“The umpires selected are predominantly New Zealand ‘C’ umpires, who demonstrated the potential to be upgraded to a ‘B’ Award, in the future,” explained Liggins. “Over the next few years some of them may have the opportunity to also be selected into a national development squad.

“These are umpires who are starting to move into tournaments like our New Zealand Secondary Schools Competition or our New Zealand Age Group Championships at Under 19 and Under 23 level.

“If they are umpiring consistently well at a more advanced level, then they may have the opportunity to be considered for an upgrade to the NZB Award,” she added.

“We have two NZB umpires from within the group, Angela Jowitt and Alicia Odering. Alicia and Jamie Manuel are also part of the 2015 NNZ Emerging Talent Umpires Squad and have been identified as having the ability to move forward.

“The other eight named today are those umpires that are aspiring to be in this squad and umpires we believe may achieve at national level,” said Liggins.

The aim of the Zone Emerging Talent Group is to provide extension at a more advanced level and to give the umpires opportunities for further personal development. To do this the umpires will attend several camps throughout the year. The first camp will take place on 28 June 2015 in Palmerston North.

They will have the chance to hear from umpires who are already in the NNZ National ‘A’ squad. An international umpire will also come in and work with the group, to encourage them to start thinking about umpiring at a more elite level.

Liggins outlined some of the areas of focus. “There will be also be an emphasis on preparing themselves for an event and mental toughness, and the day will include some video analysis work.

“In future camps they will have practical sessions and also take a look at umpiring players at a higher level. They are already competent umpires, but they’re ready to take on some new concepts at a more advanced level.”

NCZ Emerging Talent Manager Frances Solia is keen to see the initiative promote awareness of what the umpires need to do to move forward towards the elite level.

“This initiative gets the umpires thinking at a higher level. They have umpired consistently well, and have not only been consistent in their performance, but have also shown that they are ready to take on some new concepts and a desire to move up to that next level,” acknowledged Solia.

“I am excited to be working with this group of umpires.”

ENDS

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