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Netball Umpiring Pathway

At Illusions Netball Club, we believe in upholding the highest standards of officiating, and that begins with developing confident, skilled, and accredited umpires.

All our umpires are supported through Netball WA and Netball Australia’s National Umpire Development Framework, ensuring they meet the required standards of knowledge, fitness, and professionalism at every level of the game.

 Where to Get Started

  1. Create an account on Netball Learning

  2. Enrol in the Foundation Umpire Education Course

  3. Complete the Rules of Netball Theory Exam

  4. Contact your club or association umpire coordinator to gain practical experience

  5. Work toward your first badge with guidance from accredited umpire mentors and assessors

* All prices listed above are accurate as of July 6, 2025. Please note that these may change over time, and we may not update this site immediately.

For the most current course pricing and availability, please visit the official Netball WA page:

Starting Out – Foundation Umpire Education

Anyone interested in becoming an umpire starts with the Foundation Umpire Education Course, which is online and self-paced. It’s designed to introduce new umpires to the basic rules, positioning, terminology, and the role of the umpire.

  • Access the course via Netball Learning

  • Covers fundamentals of officiating and court responsibilities

  • Must also complete the Rules of Netball Theory Exam (online)

Cost:

  • Foundation Umpire Course – $45

  • Rules of Netball Theory Exam – $13

  • Delivered Online

National Badging System

After completing the Foundation course and gaining on-court experience, umpires can work towards formal national umpiring badges. These are assessed at various levels, with criteria focusing on rule knowledge, positioning, game control, and fitness.

C Badge (Entry-Level Badge)

This is the first formal badge umpires can obtain. It is suitable for umpiring club-level or lower-division association matches.

Requirements include:

  • Completion of the Foundation Course and Rules of Netball Exam

  • Practical experience umpiring competitive games

  • Assessment by a Netball WA-approved umpire coach or badge assessor

B Badge (Intermediate Level)

A B Badge indicates a stronger understanding of the game, positioning, and rule interpretation, and is required for umpiring higher divisions or representative matches.

To be eligible, umpires must:

  • Already hold a C Badge

  • Continue developing through mentoring and feedback

  • Pass a formal on-court assessment in a suitable game setting

A Badge (Advanced Level)

The A Badge is awarded to umpires officiating at state league or higher levels. These umpires have demonstrated elite understanding of rules, advanced positioning, strong game management, and consistent performance.

A Badged umpires often officiate WANL (West Australian Netball League) or national-level games.

AA Badge (Elite National Standard)

This is the highest national badge, awarded to umpires officiating at elite national competitions. The badge requires multiple high-level assessments, years of experience, and demonstrated excellence at the A Badge level.

AA Badge holders are eligible to umpire events like the Australian National Championships and the Suncorp Super Netball League.

Reaccreditation & Development

Badges do not expire, but umpires are expected to stay current with:

  • Rule changes

  • Regular court experience

  • Mentoring or attending umpire development workshops

  • Maintaining fitness suitable for their level of umpiring

Netball WA offers ongoing development and education opportunities to support this.

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