Netball Umpires

Nominations for 2026/27 program have now closed

Register Your Interest for 2026/27

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 Partners

Glen Innes Services Club Logo
Netball_NSW_Logo

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

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.

The athlete levy contributes towards the overall cost of delivering the Academy programs. Within our high performance programs are items including: 
 
  • Coaching*
  • Access to training facilities*
  • Strength & Conditioning assessments and programming*
  • Sports science testing*
  • Access to Academy Games* (relevant sports/age groups only)
  • Insurance
* Please note, Items marked with an Asterix are components supported through NSW Government grant funding. The grant contribution from the NSW government is limited to costs and activities identified in the approved Project Plan. The remaining portion of the athlete levy contributes towards costs associated with delivering and administering the Academy that are not covered by the NSW Government grant funding.
 
An athlete scholarship levy will apply, covering the above listed program benefits and more. Uniform costs are additional, with Netball Umpire‑specific and NIAS items purchased through the official supplier. Additional event costs may apply for Academy Games and Netball NSW pathway events.

Selection Timeline

  • Nominations Open: 1 September 2026
  • Nominations Close: 5 October 2026
  • Trials: 17 October – Tamworth

Program Delivery Period
November 2026 to September 2027

  • Block 1: November 2026 – Academy Games April 2027
  • Block 2: July 2027 – Academy Challenge September 2027

 

Key Events (Indicative)

  • Netball NSW High Performance Camp 13 -14 March, 2027 (Sydney)
  • Your Local Club Academy Games: 9-11 April, 2027 (Tamworth)
  • Netball NSW Academy Challenge: TBC
  • Netball NSW Talent ID & State Events: TBC*

    *invitation only

Coach: Dana Dehm

Grace Kelso
Madeline Robinson
Maddison Connole
Sophie Wykes