Netball Umpires

Nominations for the 2026/27 program are open

The SWSAS Netball Umpires program is delivered in partnership between Netball NSW and the Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) network.

This program provides a high-performance development pathway for talented young umpires, focusing on technical skills, strength and conditioning, athlete education, and personal growth.

Umpires receive targeted skill development and sport specific training support, preparation for high-performance and SSO Pathways; with the intent for the athletes to return with increased knowledge and skills for their representative and club association seasons.

The SWSAS program includes practical education in areas such as Strength and Conditioning, Athlete Profiling, Nutrition, Sports Psychology and Injury Prevention, Recover and Load Management; along with opportunities to represent SWSAS at events, inter-academy sessions and camps (where available)

Program Partners

Program Benefits

Academy Umpires Selected receive:

High‑quality coaching within a high-performance squad environment and curriculum
Access to high-quality training facilities
Strength & Conditioning assessment and programming
Sports science testing and high‑performance training support
Access to education and athlete wellbeing support
Academy uniform (additional cost)
Access to Lumin (Academy athlete performance and management platform)
Community engagement and corporate partner exposure
Promotion through SWSAS media channels and Civic Receptions

Additional SWSAS benefits:

Opportunity to train at various indoor courts throughout South West Sydney, including officiating high-performance match-play
Mentorship in umpiring match-play scenarios, including check-ins at local, Metro and State Aged events.
Opportunity for selection to umpire in Your Local Club Regional Academy Games, Regional Academies Challenge, Regional Academies Netball Camp, and Inter-Academy netball activities
Identification and nomination for Netball NSW Umpiring Programs
Opportunities to represent SWSAS at events (where available)

Athlete Eligibility

Program Eligibility Criteria

Umpires must:

Reside in one of the following LGAs: Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Wollondilly.
Be Turning 14 to 18 years of age in the year of the program. (ie for 2027 Born in 2009 – 2013)
Be a registered member of a Netball NSW Affiliated club/association within the South West Sydney region.
Be unbadged, or hold a C badge accreditation.
Be committed to progressing to higher representation within Netball.
Be committed and available to completing the entire program.

Athlete Levy

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*
High-performance support (athlete education including nutrition and psychology)
Athlete Management System access*
Access to Academy Games* (relevant sports/age groups only)
Administration and other athlete support
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 Umpire scholarship levy will apply, covering the above listed program benefits and more. Uniform costs are additional, with sport‑specific and SWSAS items purchased through the official supplier. Additional event and camp costs may apply.

Key Dates

Program Delivery Period

October 2026 – September 2027

Umpires are advised there is a program “Break” during May – June where they return to their Home Association to participate in State-Aged Titles.

Key Events (Indicative)

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

Squad Managers: Jan Cleary and Teresa Savae

Mentors: Michelle McNamara, Sarah McNamara and Piper Steed

Amelia Azzopardi
Tiah Tram Giang
Bianca Kral
Chloe Ton
Keira Vo
Caitlin Wood

Training Partners
Madeline Moloney
Maali Tepania
Lani Williams