It was only when her younger sister took up netball that Georgina, not content with pacing the sideline of her game’s watching, decided to pick up the umpiring whistle.
Fast forward to more than a decade later, and last week Georgina umpired a Suncorp Super Netball match in front of a packed house at Qudos Bank Arena and successfully achieved her All Australian Umpire Accreditation as a result.
Showing experience way beyond her years, Georgina remained cool, calm and collected after receiving a call earlier in the week from High Performance Umpire Manager, Jacqui Jashari to tell her she would be tested for Australia’s highest umpiring accreditation.
“There’s so many other things going on the court that it’s not really something you can think about at the time,” said Georgina.
“I had to stay focused on each decision I was making on the court.”
Georgina was told of her success after the match by a testing panel made up of Jashari, High-Performance coach Annette Smith and veteran umpire Helen George.
She then rang her mum – who was one of the main reasons she got involved in the game. So it was only fitting that she was the first to know.
“She was watching on from home and couldn’t have been happier when I called with the good news,” said Georgina.
“It’s always been my mum, my sister and I – netball has always been a good family thing.”
And with sister Nicola playing in the South Australian state league, Georgina has had the unique opportunity of umpiring her team, allowing for some constructive feedback on the drives home.
“I used to get the run down from her from the player perspective and I would get the run down from my mum from the spectator perspective.”
First hitting the scene back in 2017, Georgina joined the Emerging Talent Umpiring Program and was later selected to umpire the 17/U and 19/U National Netball Championships in Canberra.
But it was Round 11 of the 2019 Suncorp Super Netball season, when she made her umpiring debut, that will always hold a special place in the heart of the physical education teacher from Henley Beach.
Walking out onto AIS Arena for the first time was even more momentous as Georgina made history and became the first South Australian to umpire a Suncorp Super Netball match.
Netball South Australia Board President, Graeme Gilbert was the last South Australian umpire to receive the All Australian Award in 1986.
With so much to be proud of in this year alone, Georgina continues to look to the future.
“I want to keep on improving and learning from Suncorp Super Netball umpires and the players as well,” said Georgina.
