Christina Barrow - Europe Netball A Award Umpire
My journey in netball started in the South West when I was 30 years old with a move to the North West in 2015. Umpiring has brought much joy and life experiences I never dreamt of. From achieving an array of qualifications in netball, and volunteering accordingly, I now have a job dedicated to the officiating area while continuing to volunteer as an Umpire for England Netball Premier League, being a Technical Official for international and Superleague matches and an England Netball tutor for umpiring qualifications. I have opportunities to umpire international and Superleague friendlies and national events and do umpire within the region when I can. I am also a mentor and assessor in netball umpiring so have the pleasure of sharing my knowledge through that too, but this enables me to have more opportunities to enhance my understanding of the game and striving to be the best official I can be.
What got you into Umpiring in the first instance?
I started playing and became a club secretary for a newly formed club named Abbey Meads when I was based in the South West and one of the responsibilities was finding umpires for the teams playing in the local league so becoming a qualified umpire made that a lot easier for me.
Why do you enjoy your role within netball umpiring?
I have all the qualifications you can have in netball, but officiating is my passion and sparks my interest, with the physical and mental challenge umpiring a netball match brings being a feeling like no other.
What would your one piece of advice to someone who was thinking about starting umpiring?
Get confident blowing your whistle and give umpiring a go at team training sessions. The Into Officiating course is a great way to start learning what umpiring is all about and will give you a great foundation for the exciting journey that umpiring can take you on.
What got you into Umpiring in the first instance?
I started playing and became a club secretary for a newly formed club named Abbey Meads when I was based in the South West and one of the responsibilities was finding umpires for the teams playing in the local league so becoming a qualified umpire made that a lot easier for me.
Why do you enjoy your role within netball umpiring?
I have all the qualifications you can have in netball, but officiating is my passion and sparks my interest, with the physical and mental challenge umpiring a netball match brings being a feeling like no other.
What would your one piece of advice to someone who was thinking about starting umpiring?
Get confident blowing your whistle and give umpiring a go at team training sessions. The Into Officiating course is a great way to start learning what umpiring is all about and will give you a great foundation for the exciting journey that umpiring can take you on.
