A defining year for Pacific umpires

By Elizabeth Winter

Australia is known for having one of the top umpire accreditation systems in the world.

This year, Netball Australia and Pacific Netball Federations have supported umpire development across the Pacific, accrediting new umpires and supporting leadership opportunities in the region.

In 2025, Netball Australia has facilitated four umpire capacity building workshops: two in Samoa, one in Fiji during the Men’s International, and one during the Tala-Tutone Tour in Tonga.

These follow umpire development initiatives in 2024 during the Rising Stars Tour in Fiji, and the Brisbane South Wildcats tri-series in PNG.

These initiatives form part of Netball’s Ocean of Power, a program that strengthens organisational governance of Pacific Netball Federations and empowering Pacific women and girls to step into leadership roles, supported by the Australian Government through the Official Development Assistance Program.

This year, 38 Pacific umpires have participated in education and training within Netball Australia’s Umpire Accreditation Framework, covering game management and rule clarification to obtain their Foundation Umpire accreditations.

Furthermore, Netball Australia has supported the accreditation of 32 new C-badge umpires, the development of which uplifts the standard of netball while opening opportunities for pathways in the region beyond playing.

This year has also seen seven new B-badge umpires in the Pacific – a milestone which requires a high level of skill, knowledge, and dedication to the sport.

The surge in B-badge accreditations signals the level of talent in the region, which Netball Australia is committed to creating ongoing opportunities to recognise.

Netball Samoa CEO Justine Samu reflected on the significance of Samoa’s increase in B-badge umpires and its impact on the sport.

“When we speak of bridging the gap, its not just for our athletes but also our officials,” she said.

“Through the assistance of Netball Australia and the Australian Government, Samoa now holds the highest number of B-badge umpires in the Pacific.

“With many umpires who have been officiating at a high level for some time now, it is important we work to continue to identify these talents and provide access for accreditation as competent umpires are crucial for the growth of netball in Samoa,” Samu said.

EMPOWERING PACIFIC VOICES

Tonga Netball Association’s Technical Development Officer Uinita Tauhalaliku became the first person in Tonga to receive her B-badge earlier this year, and just the third person in the Pacific to attain this qualification at the time.

“It was years of waiting and working and it wasn’t just for me. It was for Tonga – proof that we belong on an international stage,” she said.

“The umpire sets the tone. If players believe you are fair, the game has a good spirit. You can’t have ego on the court. You need to love the game, and you need to love the people.”

Samoan B-badge umpire Akira Lima was originally unsuccessful when she trialed for her B-badge in May. After feedback and support from Netball Australia’s umpire facilitators, Lima worked hard at further developing her skills to be awarded the accreditation in August.

“The opportunity Netball Australia has given me has helped take my umpiring skills to another level,” she said.

“Areas I felt were my weakness have been immensely enhanced through these workshops.

“Umpiring plays a vital role on court during the game. I believe these opportunities are a chance for us to be seen.

“I dream to one day see a Pacific umpire officiating international games, I believe it is possible with the help given to us by Netball Australia,” she said.

National A-badge umpire Claire Kleinschmidt facilitated umpire development workshops in Samoa and Fiji this year, which highlighted the depth of talent in the region.

“These netball communities are filled with extremely passionate and talented officials who are hungry for any opportunity to learn and improve their craft,” Kleinschmidt shared.

“I would love to reach a point where officials from the Pacific nations are able to represent their country on the world stage.”

CELEBRATING GROWTH IN FIJI

In Fiji, local netball communities showed pride and support for one another as their umpires attained new accreditations.

Program facilitator and Netball Australia umpire Emily Green shared a standout moment from her time in Fiji.

“During one of the games, we noticed a Fijian umpire – James Peter – hadn’t been put up for badging, but his game management and accurate calls really stood out,” Green said.

After further assessment, Peter earned his Australian B-badge accreditation. The recognition of Peter’s skill and game management is an indicator of the depth of talent in the Pacific and how essential it is to have the Netball Australia pathway for umpires to gain their accreditation.

“The smiles on everyone’s faces when we announced this were some of the happiest I have seen in my life,” Green shared.

“People spent all night celebrating and were so excited not only for the umpire, but for what it meant for Fiji to now have two Australian B-badged umpires.”

REGIONAL COLLABORATION

One of the key successes in these initiatives has been strong collaboration between Pacific Netball Federations.

Newly accredited Pacific umpires are now gaining practical experience at international tournaments, such as the Fiji Men’s International, where B-badged umpires Tosha Papalii (Samoa) and Litia Rabitu (Fiji) officiated.

This collaboration exemplifies the spirit of Netball’s Ocean of Power: Strength in Every Wave, providing opportunities to further develop the skills of umpires in the Pacific managing games for the integrity of the sport.

Gaberiele Qoro, Sport Development Coordinator at Netball Fiji, sees enormous potential in Fiji. 

“We have some very enthusiastic and hard-working umpires who, with proper guidance and support, will be able to reach great heights.”

Meanwhile, Sport Development Coordinator at Netball Samoa Jordan Lameta highlights the broader impact of growing the umpire cohort for the rest of the sport.

“Here in Samoa, the netball community is quite small. This means umpires may have overlapping roles, they may also be coaches, players, and/or administrators – which can lead to burnout,” Lameta said.

“By increasing the number of accredited umpires, this not only improves officiating but also creates space for players and coaches to focus and grow, lifting the overall standard of the game.

“Above everything I hope that the support, training and mentoring continues and in return the umpiring here in Samoa and the Pacific region will continue to grow.”

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE PATHWAYS

The impact of these umpiring initiatives is already being felt by facilitators and participants alike.

With each newly accredited umpire, pathways are forged for the next generation of Pacific netball leaders.

Kleinschmidt hopes to see continued growth and self-sufficiency across the region.

“With more events like ones we’ve delivered, I hope the officiating pathway will become more accessible and appealing in these counties,” she said.

“I hope participants will reach a point of self-sufficiency in developing each other's skills for sustainable ongoing growth.”

The success of initiatives in Fiji and Samoa exemplifies what can be achieved through partnership, commitment and community.

Netball’s Ocean of Power is an Australian Government initiative empowering women and girls in the Pacific to step into leadership roles and become champions within their communities.  

The program reaffirms a shared commitment to supporting gender equality and positive social change through the power of netball.

Interested in Netball Australia’s international development work? See more here.