The concept is the brainchild of a number of long-time netball officials across the region who want umpiring numbers, standards and support to keep pace with the sport’s growing popularity.

Hampden Football Netball League executive member Pam Davis, who was president of the Warrnambool City Netball Association for 17 years, is co-ordinating a meeting of interested parties next month with the sole focus of establishing an umpires’ association.

Davis stressed the association would be independent and have no ties with any competition, acting as an umbrella group for all umpires, regardless of age, standard and league.

She said the idea was to create a peak body for umpires, which facilitated training, education, mentoring and coaching. “It’s a support mechanism,” Davis said.

“We might get down some guest speakers to help educate umpires.

“Each league would keep their own umpires. It’s more about bringing umpires together and breaking down a few of the ‘them against us’ barriers.

“It’s about getting and keeping the standards up and helping umpires, helping them to mentor young umpires. It’s definitely an education, communication and support type of group.”

Davis said fellow long-time netball officianados Wilma Wallace, Shirley McSwain and Cobden’s Joy Errey had talked about the need for such a group for years. They decided to call a meeting for December 8 at Warrnambool Stadium.

Davis said netball used to have an umpires’ academy, which had worked successfully and ensured umpires had fun as well as developed their skills.

Just how the association will be structured and run will be determined by those at the meeting.

“It will be run by whoever the members want,” she said.

Moves to establish the association come as the sport’s on-court standards have increased significantly in recent years while umpire numbers have stagnated and in some competitions declined.

Davis said more than 30 people had already expressed an interest in attending and urged anyone who was keen to join the discussions. She said the Hampden and Warrnambool and District leagues supported the concept.

grbest@fairfaxmedia.com.au