Downey Park Netball Association

The DPNA Junior Umpire Award is an association award to promote Umpire Development Pathways by encouraging and developing talented umpires. This award is not officially recognised outside of DPNA.

DPNA Junior Umpire Award - Competency Checklist

The Netball Australia Umpire Accreditation System is an educational pathway based on Netball Australia Umpiring Courses (Foundation and Elite), ongoing professional development and practical umpiring instruction through an experienced umpire coach system.

Assessment is based on the Rules of Netball Theory Examination. practical evaluation through an established competency based assessment system, self-reflection and, where possible, video analysis.

The culmination of this accreditation system leads to practical assessment in a 4-tiered system of badges: C, B, A and the highest national award the AA (All Australia).

It is not essential to proceed sequentially through each badge level. The only pre-requisite badge level is an A Badge before testing for an AA Badge.

No age restrictions apply to candidates for any badge level.

Candidates may be tested up to twice in any calendar year for the same badge level.

• Netball Australia National Umpire Development Framework (2020) 
• Netball Australia High Performance Umpire Pathway
• Netball Australia Badge Competencies
• Netball Australia C Badge Test Sheet
• Netball Australia B Badge Test Sheet
• Netball Australia A Badge Test Sheet
• Netball Australia AA Badge Test Sheet
• Member Organisation Umpire Performance Appraisal
• Netball Australia National Codes of Behaviours (Umpire Code - p7)

How to become an accredited umpire in Queensland:

1. Register as a member of Netball Queensland (if you are already registered as a player, you will be registered with NQ) 
2. Complete the Foundation Umpiring Course*
3. Pass the Rules of Netball Theory Exam*
4. Contact your Club's Umpire Convenor and let them know you are interested in gaining your accreditation. Your club convenor will work with you to achieve your Junior Badge. Your club convenor can then liaise with the DPNA Umpire Convenor to assess your readiness for your C Badge Accreditation and work with you to mentor and develop your umpiring skills in preparation for badging.

For DPNA Umpiring Course Information, please visit: Umpiring Courses & Important Dates 

Rules of Netball Theory Examination*

The Rules of Netball Theory Examination tests the basic rules of the game.

It is an online examination that is accessible all year. A certificate is generated for all candidates who achieve a pass (70% or above). The most recent examination mark is the current result and Pass marks are valid for 4 years.

It is highly recommended that prior to commencing this exam you read a copy of the Rules of Netball (2020).

Foundation Umpire Course*

The Foundation Umpire Course is one of the pre-requisites for obtaining a National C Badge and participating in the Elite Umpire Course.

Coaches and players are also encouraged to complete the course to further support their understanding of the game.

Successful completion of the course provides you with one of the required pre-requisites for a National C Badge.

Elite Umpire Course*

The Elite Umpire Course is for those umpires looking at refining their skills in a high performance environment. It has been designed to further develop umpiring skills, techniques, and increase understanding of the procedures and protocols of a higher level of umpiring.

The Elite Umpire Course is a pre-requisite for obtaining a National A Badge.

* Netball Australia's new Learning Management System is now live!

Updating for on court umpires

We require all of our on court umpires to complete a series of tasks over a four year period after they’ve successfully attained their Netball Australia C, B, A or AA badge.

We recommend that all umpires continue to upgrade their knowledge, skills and competencies after they’ve attached their badge. Staying up-to-date maintains the overall quality of umpires in netball and makes sure they are provided with ongoing education and development opportunities.

Our ongoing education and development opportunities cover areas such as:

The latest information on developments in netball

Rules knowledge and current interpretations

Access to the most up-to-date techniques and skills relating to umpiring

Maintaining your accreditation

We require umpires to reach a certain number of points of updating activity to maintain their accreditation at the relevant badge level.

For the A and AA badge, umpires must successfully complete a practical assessment as well.

50% of the required updating should be completed through on court umpiring. Practical umpiring can be undertaken at any level and may occur on a regular basis (weekly, fortnightly) or in specific situations such as camps, carnivals etc.

The successful completion of the Rules of Netball Theory Exam (pass mark as required for the badge being updated) is a mandatory updating requirements for all badge levels.

National Umpire Accreditation Updating Requirements

Updating – Presenters/Testers

Umpire Presenters and Testers that are no longer umpiring must hold a current (within the last 4 years) Rules of Netball Theory Exam pass mark relevant to their badge level to be eligible to present and/or test as part of the National Umpire Accreditation System.