Netball Umpires
Nominations for the 2026/27 program open in October
The NIAS Netball Umpires program is delivered in partnership with Netball NSW and the Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) network.
This program provides a high‑performance development pathway for talented young Netballer Umpires, focusing on technical skills, strength and conditioning, athlete education, and personal growth. It aligns with the Netball NSW Player Development Pathway and connects athletes to state and national pathways.
Athletes receive targeted skill development, seasonal training support, and preparation for high‑performance trials. The program includes practical education in areas such as S&C, nutrition, sports psychology and injury management, along with opportunities to represent NIAS at events, inter‑academy sessions and camps.
Program Benefits
Selected athletes receive:
- High‑quality coaching in a squad environment
- Access to quality training facilities
- Strength & Conditioning assessment and programming
- Sports science testing and high‑performance training support
- Opportunities to represent NIAS at events
- Education in technical, tactical, and personal Netball Umpire development
- Academy uniform kit (additional cost)
- Participation in Your Local Club Academy Games, Netball NSW Academy Challenge and Inter-Academy netball activities (invitation only)
- Identification and nomination for Netball NSW Emerging Talent Programs
Additional NIAS benefits:
- Access to Lumin (Academy athlete performance and management platform)
- Support for award and scholarship nominations
- Community engagement and corporate partner exposure
- Promotion through NIAS media channels
Athlete Eligibility
Program Eligibility Criteria
Athletes must:
Athletes must:Turn 14-18 in 2027 (born 2013 or 2009)
Be working towards a National B or C Badge.
- Be a registered member of a Netball club within the Northern Inland region.
- Reside in one of the following LGAs: Armidale, Glen Innes Severn, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Inverell, Liverpool Plains, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Tamworth, Tenterfield, Uralla, Walcha and Warrumbungle.
Athletes from Scone are eligible to trial for either the NIAS Netball Program or the Hunter Academy of Sport Netball Program. However, athletes may only trial for one Academy and cannot trial for both programs.
Athlete Levy
Key Dates
Program Delivery Period
October 2026 to September 2027
Key Events (Indicative)
- Netball NSW High Performance Camp 13th-14th March, 2027 (Sydney)
- Your Local Club Academy Games: 9th-11th April, 2027 (Tamworth)
- Netball NSW Academy Challenge: TBC
- Netball NSW Talent ID & State Events: TBC*
*invitation only
2025/26 Squad
Coach: Dana Dehm
Grace Kelso
Madeline Robinson
Maddison Connole
Sophie Wykes
