LWNC Umpiring 2024 - what you need to know

Thank you all for putting your hand up to umpire and/or to run with our younger umpires this season, we really appreciate it. Without you, the competition would not happen!

This week, you would have received notification (via text) regarding your allocated team(s) and game slot(s). As much as possible, our umpires will be umpiring the SAME team at the SAME time every week, however, the games will move around a bit, to ensure you are all building skill over the course of the season. I know some of you want more games than allocated, and I will do my best to move things around for future weeks.

Communications for Umpiring

Majority of communication during the season will be via our WhatsApp group "2024 LWNC Umpires"

To join you will need to download the app first. I'll also be texting your weekly game times.

Club expectations

By committing to week 1, you are committing to umpire for the entire season
Make sure you double check which court you will be umpiring each week. Sometimes court allocations change. Checking your court number is YOUR responsibility. The fixture can be found at PlayHQ: https://www.playhq.com/netball-australia/org/inner-west-netball-association/be9ac78f. There is also a brand new app this year called "NetballHQ" and it is free to download.
Arrive at the courts at least 15 minutes before your first game of the day. You will need to sign on for ALL your umpiring games that day, PRIOR to the first game. Please allow time for this, as there can be a queue to sign in. If you are playing in the round before, please sign-on before your playing game. Trainees do not need to sign, just the badged umpire will. The sign-in sheets are located on the tables in front of the admin block.
BYO whistle (the finger grip whistles are best), hair-tie for wrist and water bottle. If you forget your whistle, they are available to purchase at the canteen.
No mobiles are to be used (not even in between quarters)

Please wear your LWNC uniform if you are unbadged with a jacket or shirt over the top, (so you look different to the team on court) and your white LWNC umpire’s T-shirt if you are badged

Game Management

On arrival to your court, please make yourself known to the LWNC team manager/coach.
Please check your team’s nails. Nails must be short enough so that if the player holds their hands up with palms facing you, you cannot see the nail above the finger. If you tell a player to cut their nail(s), they must show you the nails again before they join the court.
Please check the players have the correct uniform as well. Players need to wear a LWNC dress / LWNC singlet or LWNC shirt and plain black shorts or leggings, white socks & appropriate sports shoes (no fashion shoes like converse are allowed).
No jewellery (wedding bands and medi-bracelets are allowed, but they must be taped). Under NO circumstances can earrings be left in the ears and taped. They must be removed.
New this year, players can wear plain black leggings (or shorts) under their dress, which may be visible below the dress hem. Players can also wear a plain black short sleeve t-shirt under their LWNC dress or LWNC singlet. No jumpers or shirts are to be worn over the LWNC dress/singlet/t-shirt.
Hair is to be tied back. Only soft (material) head bands are allowed. Only soft foam visors are allowed (no hats/caps with hard brims)
If you are a badged umpire running a trainee, please note that ONLY the trainee is allowed to blow the whistle. You are there to guide them, not to umpire yourself.
You must stay behind the side and base lines when umpiring, and not be on the court. (The only exception to this is cutting the back corner after goal to run back for the next centre pass)
You are responsible for the court from centre circle to YOUR right hand side and the full length of your sideline.

Rules

Attached you will find a copy of the IWNA House Rules. Please read them prior to Saturday.

Please also (re)familiarise yourself with the rules of netball.

I am sure you are aware that there have been modifications made to some rules by World Netball. Please find attached a summary of the IWNA interpretation of the rule changes. Please seek out the detail on the new rules, either via the Rules of Netball app, or downloaded copy, available on Netball Australia site (version from December 2023). There are also some excellent videos available to watch online, or via the Netball NSW and Inner West Netball Association socials.

Rolling Substitutions

IWNA have a variation to the substitution of players during play. Rolling substitutions are allowed this year. Coaches and players do not need umpire permission to substitute players, but the following rules apply:

- a sub must already have a bib on BEFORE taking the court. All bibs must match the rest of the team. If a second set of bibs is not available, the incoming and outgoing player must switch bibs before the sub enters the court

- the player coming off the court and the player subbing in must tap each other’s hands to indicate changeover.

- substitutes must happen in line with centre circle on the sideline, and be done at a time that does not interfere with the umpire running the line.

- Offside rules apply and should be pulled up. Eg if GK is swapping out, they must come off the court in the goal third, run to middle of the sideline, adjacent to the centre circle to swap bibs (if required) and to tap hands with the sub going on. The new GK must run behind the sideline to enter the court in their goal third. If they enter the centre third, they are offside and it should be called. IWNA has suggested some leniency to this rule in the early weeks, whilst we all get used to it. Feel free to have a conversation with the team to explain this in the early weeks, Repeat errors can then be called as offside.

Injury time:

2 minutes allowed per stoppage with a maximum of 3 minutes to be played at the end of the game. Please ask the scorer to keep time for injuries.

Failure to Take the Court/Forfeiting a Game:

A minimum of 5 players are required per team to take the court. Umpires can hold the commencement of game for up to 5 minutes if the team is waiting on players to join. If not, a forfeit should be declared and the other team will win the round.

Wet Weather

All games are to be considered ON... until they are called off (even if it is raining, or the forecast is questionable). The IWNA is responsible for the call (not the Club) and they make a decision at 7:30am for the morning games, and at midday for the afternoon games.

Best way to stay updated is to check the Inner West Facebook page (you don't need to have FB to see the page). Inner West Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/people/Inner-West-Netball-Association/100064336373526/

Not attending a game due to your own assessment of the weather is considered a NO SHOW, and will be dealt with accordingly (see below).

Changes to availability & sickness
We understand that you may be unavailable for some weeks due to other commitments. Please text Annie (0422 929 793), email umpire.lwnc@gmail.com ASAP so we can fill your spot in advance of each Saturday.

If you are unwell on Saturday and cannot umpire, please let me know ASAP so we can find a replacement. This applies particularly to 8.30am umpires. This is definitely the most difficult time slot to fill at short notice. If you feel sick the night before, it’s best to stay at home and sleep in, but please text me Friday (or earlier) to advise this is your intention! Get well quickly, we need you back :-)

If you are running late to your game

We understand you may be occasionally late (traffic, parking, etc). Please let Annie know so she can help tell the team accordingly. Teams have been advised that they must umpire at the start of the game until either you or a replacement umpire arrives to the court.

Payment

Badged umpires will be paid each week by EFT transfers (usually Tuesday or Wednesday after the Saturday just gone. Janneke (our fabulous treasurer) pays you all so be super nice to her and say a BIG thank you when you see her on Saturdays!!!

Newbies (those learning), umpire for experience only. Umpires running trainees will be paid according to their badge leve. The minimum badge level to run with trainees is Association badge.

In EXCITING NEWS, umpires running afternoon games will get a $5 pay rise this year:

LWNC Club badge = Morning Games: $15/game and Afternoon Games: $20/game
Association badge = Morning Games: $20/game and Afternoon Games: $25/game
National C badge = Morning Games: $25/game and Afternoon Games: $30/game
National B Badge = Morning Games: $30/game and Afternoon Games: $35/game

Please ensure we have your correct account details. If you are new to our Club (welcome!), newly badged, or if your account details have changed since last year, please email umpire.lwnc@gmail.com or text Annie.

Umpire Conduct

As an umpire, you are representing our club at all times, and in a very important way. We expect you to respect all players, spectators, and the rules of the game. If any feedback is received to the contrary, action may be taken to change your and/or remove you from the roster. Please note, that if you "NO SHOW" to any of your allocated games without prior notice, this is considered unacceptable. Repeat behaviour will see you permanently removed from the roster. Being sick is not considered a no show.

Player and Spectator Conduct

In the event of poor conduct from players and/or spectators, please know that our umpires have plenty of support from the Association. If you are having trouble with players or parents, please send someone to the admin window to request assistance. An umpire convenor will be sent to you ASAP. Please also let Annie know and the team will be spoken to accordingly.

Modified Games (Under 8s and Under 9s)

For the first time this year, umpires will be allocated to the modified games. In the past, it has been up to individual teams/parents to find their own umpire. This year, we will be allocating umpires to these teams. Good news is that they will be paid at the rates above! Since the players are still learning the rules, there is also an element of coaching and kindness required by the umpires.

There are 3 games playing at 8:30am, 3 games at 9:30am and 1 game at 10:30am each week.

Umpires working in these times slots will be on rotation around these games as whilst it is important that we are supporting the littlies at the start of their netball careers, it is also important for our umpires to build skill over the course of the season! SO, if you have be allocated a modified game, know that is for 1-2 weeks only!

The modified rules are attached. Please read them, as they are more lenient than our standard rules.

The main difference in modified games is to teach the players the rules, and why they are being pulled up.

Badging

If you are a Club or Association badged umpire, and you feel you are ready to undertake your assessment for the next level, please do the following:

* send an email to Annie at umpire.lwnc@gmail.com expressing your request to being assessed.

* please be sure you do a 'self-assessment' of the National C practical assessment checklist. This will give you an excellent indication of the expected skill level required. Please see here for the National C assessment checklist which is an excellent guide to skill level/expectation. https://netball.com.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/C%20Badge%20-%20Test%20Sheet%20-%20Editable.pdf

If you are a runner and you feel your trainee is ready for their Club badge assessment, please advise Annie and she will arrange for a Club assessor to watch and assess the trainee at the next suitable round.

Assessing our umpires is a big job and has many moving parts, including availability from the Association and Netball NSW, so please extend your patience in advance!

IWNA Umpire Convenor - Allayne Hobbs

Most of you will already know Allayne. You may see Allayne watching your game. If you do, don't worry, she is there to support us all, and where possible to provide feedback and mentor IWNA umpires. If you have any questions please ask her as well!

Hopefully you're still reading (thank you!). This is a big download of information! Thank you again for your commitment and have a wonderful season ahead!

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out!

Kind regards,

Annie, LWNC Umpiring Coordinator

Please contact our Umpire Coordinator if you have a question or require further information