Umpiring Information
Course Application
| Course | Cost | Description |
| Beginner Umpire | £30 approx – Prices will be confirmed when courses are available | This course is for novice umpires and is a step closer to taken a beginner test which will allow you to umpire in local league. |
| C award Umpire | £30 approx – Prices will be confirmed when courses are available | You can attend this without having taken a beginner course. You must attend this course and practice your umpiring following advice given before applying for your test. |
As with all the courses you should also get as much practise as you can at club training nights before applying for your test.
Test Application
| Umpire levels | Cost | Description |
| Beginner Award | £5 | Payable to MKINL |
| Netball Europe C Award | £25 | Payable to NBCNA |
| Netball Europe B Award | £40 | |
| Netball Europe A Award | £75 | |
| Netball National Award | £100 |
You must have attended a course prior to taking your test and then progress upwards through each stage. Depending on your ability you can begin at beginner or C award level
Process: 1. When you see a course advertised that you wish to take, apply for the course via the County umpiring secretary using the application form. 2. Once you have attended a course, you should seek practice and follow the guidance given to you by the course leader, if you need assistance with this then speak to your leagues umpire secretary. 3. When you are ready, apply for your test by sending your application and cheque to the county umpiring secretary You must put your certificate number, Date of Award, Venue and Tutor on the sheet (Without this information we cannot process the test.) 4. Until your test get as much practice as you can and use the England website to get practice test papers 5. Once a test date has been arranged for you, you will be contacted with the date and time
Frequently asked questions:
What is a beginner award?
The beginner award allows you to umpire within the league where you took the award or where allows the award to be taken. In MKINL you can umpire division 3 and 2 with this award.
How long is the beginner award valid for?
The beginner award is valid for 4 years. After the 4 years you must retake the award when it will continue to be valid for a further 4 years (Totalling 8 years). After the 8 year period you must progress onto a C award course.
Can I do my C award without having done my beginners award?
Yes, as long as you have attended a C award training course you are eligible to take your test
How often will tests/ courses take place?
The County umpiring secretary will run courses at various points in the year, if the minimum number of applicants is not reached then we will aim to reschedule the course for a future date.
Tests will be organised in correspondence with the leagues and interest. For a test to be organised we must have 2 umpires awaiting tests, dates will be arranged to suit the matches available to umpire and the availability of testers.
MKINL will be running forums which qualified and unqualified umpires are welcome to attend to help improve understanding, offer support and share ideas/guidance.
Are you ready to take you test?
Have you attended an AENA umpiring course and received a certificate number?
Have you practiced umpiring and are at a competent level to take the test?
Test Application forms
These can be located below
If you are having trouble with this link it can be found by going to:
Then Select ‘Officiating’ on the grey toolbar, and then select ‘Application forms’ from the orange options box on the left hand side of the webpage.
Practice Sample Papers
These can be located on the England Netball Webpage
If you are having trouble with this link it can be found by going to:
Then Select ‘Officiating’ on the grey toolbar, and then select ‘Sample exam papers’ from the orange options box on the left hand side of the webpage.
Other Relevant Information
About The Test:
Your test will be arranged for a Tuesday night. On a test night you will not be available to play your own teams fixture, so please make arrangements.
Unfortunately due to the way tests need to be conducted you are not able to request the date of your test. This is due to the organising of venues, suitable matches and availability of test umpires (There is only one in North Bucks currently and two awaiting further approval so please be patient.)
The tests consist of a practical observation of your ability to umpire a match, along with a written test.
MKINL and AENA Rules for umpiring:
•You must attend an umpiring course prior to your test (AENA requirement.)
•The beginners umpiring award is valid for 4 years, after 4 years you can retake
the test; this will qualify you for a further 4 years.
After a total of 8 years you no longer hold the Beginners award you must then progress on attend a C award umpiring course and apply to take the C award test. (AENA requirement.)
Umpiring Summer league:
As of Summer 2008 it is a MKINL requirement that all practicing umpires who are running the line must:
•Have previously been on an umpiring course
•Only run the line with a qualified umpire
Although this may not always been convenient it is there to help the learning umpire to develop their skills and be supported by qualified umpires.
It helps to ensure a good standard and also maintain safe levels of health and safety.
MKINL Umpire Assessments
To help support the already qualified umpires and to help maintain the high standard of umpiring all umpires for the MKINL will be assessed by a B level umpire or above.
This will happen only twice within the season.
This is designed to support umpires not threaten them, it is designed to help them and give them feedback to develop further.
For example, the selected umpire will be observed, once observed they will receive feedback to help support them, it may be suggested that they progress onto an award higher than the one they hold, or allow them an opportunity to clarify rules they may be uncertain of.
If however the level of umpiring is below satisfactory then they will be given help in the area which requires development.
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