At Mountain District Netball Association, we are here to support umpires throughout their umpiring journey – whether they have no umpiring experience, or are an umpire looking to achieve that next badge.

Mountain District have a dedicated umpiring team and umpire mentors who are there to help umpires develop their skills and unlock umpiring potential. The Umpiring Team does his by providing personalised mentoring and feedback, and when ready, testing for C Badge and B Badge.

C Badge Competencies

Completed Foundation umpire Online Course and 70% or more in the Rules of Netball Theory Exam (valid 4yrs). Tested on games 40 minutes and over (at Under 17’s standard or higher).

• Basic game management and procedural competence (late arrivals, failure to take the court, stoppages).
• Basic positioning and vision skills, as well as reactions and timing.
• Usually recognises and penalises obvious infringements, both major and minor.
• Applies “advantage goal” so as not to disadvantage non-offending team.

B Badge Competencies

Completed Foundation umpire Online Course and 80% or more in the Rules of Netball Theory Exam (Valid 4yrs). Tested on 60-minute games (at A Grade standard).

• Sound game management and implementation of procedures, and some understanding of when measures need to be taken to keep game safe (e.g. foul play – unfair play, unsportsmanlike behaviour or dangerous play).
• Positioning and vision are not restricted to the immediate area where the ball is, but take into account what is happening behind and ahead of play.
• More consistent recognition of minor infringements and more refined understanding (e.g. footwork, or played ball).
• Obstruction: beginning to understand implications of obstruction beyond simple 0.9m defence (jump and land, standing within 0.9m and interfering with throwing/shooting action); beginning to recognise use of arms to limit movement of player without ball; obvious defending out of court.
• Contact: beginning to go beyond obvious examples of interference and causing contact (understanding body movements, including recognising when a player or players cause an opponent to interfere).
• Advantage: vision skills allow some recognition of context of play and some assessment of what is of advantage to the non-infringing team.

If you would like further clarification or support in achieving these competencies, please speak to the umpiring team on Saturday’s or email umpiring@mdnanetball.com.au.