Netball: Inspiring the next Taranaki umpires

Netball Taranaki

Photo: Zoe Hall, left, with her fellow Umpires, Jorja Donald, centre, and Nicole Chadwick after the Versatile Premier 3 final in 2024.

Zoe Hall is a passionate Netball Umpire and Umpire Coach who has been playing netball since she was 5. Her goal is to inspire the next generation of umpires.

How did she first get into umpiring?

“My dad was a rugby referee, so I was never afraid to get involved. While playing for Steelformers Netball Club in Stratford, we were expected to take turns umpiring. I found I quite enjoyed it. Theresa Strachan approached me one day and asked if I would like some coaching. It just progressed from there." Theresa is a Netball New Zealand recognised Umpire Coach and Netball Taranaki Life Member.

Always chasing the next development opportunity, Zoe progressed quickly through her umpiring qualifications then moved onto supporting and coaching others.

“I love being able to award Centre badges to aspiring umpires and watching them grow and develop as their confidence and skills increase.”

Zoe was recently awarded her Zone Umpire Coach Assessor accreditation which means she can also now award Zone Umpire badges for umpires wanting to umpire in the greater central zone region.

How fit does an umpire have to be?

“You definitely need to keep fit, there’s a lot of running involved! During the season, I attend the gym 4/5 times a week, play netball 1/2 times and umpire up to 3 days a week. I keep up my umpiring skills through the summer by umpiring at Summer / Spring League and supporting Premier & Satellite club trials. I also incorporate other forms of sport and exercise in the off-season; recently I competed in the HYROX fitness competition in Auckland.”

What are the main benefits for someone looking to start umpiring?

“Apart from the fitness and being able to support your sport, there is the community connection and opportunities it can open. I wish I had started younger as perhaps I could’ve taken my umpiring to even greater levels. Umpiring has also helped me to develop valuable communication skills that lend themselves well to my professional career, learning how to manage behaviour and diffuse situations. It has increased my resilience and confidence dramatically too!”

Her latest umpire recruit is her daughter Mackenzie, who at 14 has recently started umpiring.

“It is great to see Mackenzie following in my footsteps and giving back to netball.”

So where does Zoe see herself in 5 years?

“My ultimate goal is to get my NZC Umpires Award and be selected to Umpire at Netball NZ U18 Champs . That would be amazing, but I still have a long way to go!”.

The Versatile New Plymouth Premier Netball season starts 1st May, with Preseason Day in Hawera on Sunday 27th April. Satellite netball across Taranaki starts on 3rd May.

Want to find out more about becoming a netball umpire?

Visit www.netballtaranaki.org.nz