Umpires are crucial to any game of netball. However, sometimes they are underappreciated, but not at Glenora Netball Club. Marie-Rose Joseph, President of this tight-knit, local club, declares, ‘We value umpires to the max.’
For over 50 years, Glenora Netball Club has nurtured netballers in The West, particularly Kelston, Glen Eden, and Sunnyvale. The club focuses on players aged ten or more and boasts around 80 members. There are three senior teams, three college teams, and two for intermediate school students.
‘We aim to provide opportunities for local young women to participate in team sports and create a sense of belonging,’ says Marie-Rose.
Teams compete in netball competitions at Te Pai Netball Centre, and practice courts are located next to the Glenora Bears Rugby League Football Club.
As a non-profit organisation, Glenora Netball Club is run by a dedicated team of volunteers. Fees are kept as low as possible to enable more girls and young women to get involved in this fun sport.
However, attracting umpires to the game can be challenging. The club relies on volunteers who often already work tirelessly in the background. Marie-Rose says that the club has always valued and appreciated the contribution umpires make and offered koha to say thank you. However, tight funding means the extra costs shift onto members.
Thanks to the Your West Support Fund, the Glenora Netball Club provided umpires koha last season without increasing membership fees. Funding of $1,980 was used to recognise the vital work of volunteer umpires.
‘The funding has helped reduce the pressure on members during the current cost-of-living crisis while also saying a big thank you to umpires,’ explains Marie-Rose.
Glenora Netball Club has worked hard to attract more umpires, and their efforts have paid off. The club now has a dedicated umpire coordinator, and more people than ever have completed the training programme.
‘Several of our college girls and even one intermediate school student are now qualified umpires,’ Marie-Rose proudly declares. And a larger pool of umpires benefits everyone involved.
The netball season is already in full swing, and thanks to the club’s appreciation efforts, many more umpires are on board. Visit Glenora Netball Club’s website for more information.
