Referees are a key part of sports and umpires are critical in netball.

A training seminar last weekend sought to increase the level of umpiring and in turn the sport.

Some 10 residents took part in the International Federation of Netball Associations netball umpire course in George Town.

Leading the course was international tester Yvette Smith, who hails from Jamaica and doubles as Vice President of the Jamaica Netball Association.  

Put on by the Cayman Islands Netball Association, the course focused on the theoretical aspects of the sport, culminating in a theory exam on Sunday.

A practical refresher was also included in the course and that took place at the netball courts of the Truman Bodden Sports Complex Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.

Results of the theory exam are slated to be submitted to the local association at a later date. Those that pass the theory portion of the exam are then eligible to take the practical exam later this year.

The umpire exam has been held by Smith the last two years and attracted about 18 to 20 people. Last year three residents passed the theoretical exam.

Most of the participants last weekend were local teachers and members of the local association.

 One of those was Faye Green, who represents Unity netball club. Green felt the course helped her learn new things.

“It was very good,” Green said. “It was challenging at times but ultimately very helpful. I learned a lot about what to call and when to call it as an umpire. In particular I was taught how to call free passes and deal with injuries and time-outs.

“One of the things in the game that was clarified for me was the roles of the Wing Defense and the Wing Attack and how the length of the court impacts their play.”

On the whole the local association is pleased with the course and the feedback from locals. As association president Lucille Seymour states it is all about having more certified officials on hand.

“Mrs. Smith has been coming to Cayman working with and training umpires for years. The local netball association will continue to have her train umpires and coaches to increase the umpire pool in Cayman and improve the standards of umpiring and netball.”