The ump breaking new ground

Living with a spinal injury caused by acute transverse myelitis when he was a baby has not stopped Brodie Taylor from breaking barriers.  

The 18-year-old has spent his life in and out of power wheelchairs and undergoing surgeries but his determination to overcome challenges has led him to make history. 

Brodie was recently awarded his C Badge umpiring accreditation becoming the first known wheelchair netball umpire in NSW and possibly Australia. 
 
The Albury-Wodonga local first started umpiring for fun earlier this year and wasn’t planning on getting badged but then one conversation changed his mind. 

"I was umpiring at a local Schools Cup event when Amanda [McLachlan] came up to me and said, ‘We’ve all been watching you, we’re very impressed. Would you consider going for your badge?’” Brodie said. 

“I thought, why not? My mum’s badged, and this felt like a good achievement — something I never thought I’d do.” 

Netball NSW’s Workforce Manager Chris Hall led the charge working alongside Netball Australia to go through the umpiring framework to ensure the pathway was accessible for Brodie. 
 
Some adjustments were made without compromising the integrity of the game and the standards required to achieve the accreditation.  

 
Brodie completed his assessment at Hume Netball Association and passed with flying colours. 
 
His connection to netball runs deep, the teen sharing his love of the sport with a key member of his family. 

“My sister was off dancing with Nan, my brother was with Dad at rugby, and I sat with Mum,” he said. 
 
“I started out doing stats as her team manager, I love stats, that’s what got me hooked.” 

In addition to umpiring, Brodie is a passionate coach. 

He’s been coaching since 2023 and loves every second of it. 

Brodie’s coaching career has already reaped success with a premiership in the books. 
 
“I believe in showing our girls they have potential, and they are just as capable as anyone else,” he said. 

“That’s what I see as my role in netball.”