Scottish Delights Await Kiwi Umpires in Glasgow
New Zealand’s top umpires Jono Bredin and Yvonne Morgan say the excitement is just as palpable for umpires as it is for players ahead of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
“This a pinnacle appointment for me and it's a great honour to be part of such an iconic sporting event which extends beyond Netball,” Bredin said.
“I’m looking forward to reconnecting with all my international umpire colleagues and working together to showcase a high standard of officiating at this event.”
Bredin and Morgan have been in Newcastle, England for a week as the event draws closer, attending an International Netball Federation (INF) camp in Newcastle for all umpires officiating at the Games.
It’s the first time the INF have gathered the umpires together before a pinnacle event with focus on umpiring specific skills – techniques, game management, advantage and rules - to name a few.
The umpire camp has also included sessions on performing under pressure, injury prevention and training, match analysis, eye tracking, nutrition and sleep/recovery.
Bredin says officiating at this level requires a unique skill set, including being able to adjust quickly to the challenges and opportunities both on and off the court.
“Delhi was just so different in all respects as the host nation didn't really play Netball and security concerns were high.
“It was a sheltered experience with limited ability to take in other sports and you had to be very careful with your intake of food and water. This time around I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing some other events and getting out and about to experience Scottish culture and hospitality,” Bredin said.
Yvonne Morgan is also excited about the chance to take her umpiring to a whole new level.
“The thing I am looking forward to most is the chance to umpire the different styles of play each nation brings and the chance to umpire with other international umpires,” she said.
“For me, it is right up there!”
Morgan says the honour of being named to officiate at a Commonwealth Games is simply amazing.
“This will be my biggest achievement in umpiring to date, other than gaining my IUA (international umpiring award) badge.
“To have the opportunity to be around some of the best athletes in the Commonwealth is a chance in a lifetime thing and something I will never forget,” Morgan said.
The Netball component of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games starts on Thursday July 24th at the SECC (Scottish Exhibition Conference Centre).