The Southern Highlands Netball Association winter season began with more than 20 teams taking part in the opening round. 

The wet weather held off long enough for each grade to play their matches. 

SHNA competition co-ordinator Kate Bow said it was a great start to the season. 

“We got all divisions in which was a big surprise. Some games were shortened due to the rain but they got half the game in which meant it counted, so it was a great day all round,” she said. 

All matches were played in good spirits and were hotly contested.  

As well as the 13 matches, an umpiring course was also held at Eridge Park. 

SHNA players, Summer Lewis and Emily Bow, were examined on their umpiring skills and achieved their National C Badge. 

“The course was a great start to the season and topped off the day well,” Bow said. 

According to Netball Australia, umpires with a C Badge accreditation demonstrate basic game management in order to keep the game moving and maintain player safety in low to average standard matches.

C Badge umpires duties include:

• Basic game management in order to keep game moving and maintain player safety in low to average standard matches.

• Basic procedural competence (late arrivals, failure to take the court, stoppages).

• Basic positioning and vision skills.

• Reactions/timing appropriate for low to average standard matches.

• Recognising and penalising obvious infringements, both major and minor.

• Applying ‘advantage goal’ so as not to disadvantage non-offending team.

SHNA aims to promote and support umpiring in the Southern Highlands.

The club run a number of umpiring courses each year and aim to provide umpires with the necessary skills and experience to ensure games run smoothly and fairly.