Meet the North West Officiating lead
Chris McCall (North West Regional Officiating Lead)
I have been actively involved in officiating for more than 30 years as a C & B Award qualified umpire and 20+ years as a qualified C & B Award Assessor and Mentor. Throughout my netball career, I have held a number of officiating lead roles, Umpiring Secretary in the Liverpool and Warrington leagues, County Officiating Lead for Merseyside and currently Cheshire, and recently elected NW Regional Officiating Lead, having done the role on an interim basis the previous year.
My biggest passion is mentoring. Over the years, in my various roles, I have successfully mentored many, many umpires, preparing them for their practical assessments as they progress through the C and B officiating pathway.
As a B Award umpire, I had many opportunities and gained significant experience umpiring at grassroots level, for Liverpool University, senior NW Regional matches and travelled around the country umpiring Cheshire County senior 1st team fixtures, national school's finals and Inter-counties and Alex Barlass tournaments.
What got you into Umpiring in the first instance?
I first got involved with netball at primary school and continued throughout high school. I wasn't aware netball existed outside of school until the early 1980's when a work colleague who played netball encouraged me to start playing again. I then cobbled together a team and in the mid 80's we entered the Liverpool Netball League and having to provide an umpire, I volunteered to have a go. Even though I loved playing, I soon realised that I had a passion for umpiring so I decided to pursue that. I commenced my umpiring journey in Merseyside then moved to Cheshire in 2002 when my daughter was selected for Cheshire County seniors.
Why do you enjoy your role within netball umpiring?
Now I am no longer able to physically umpire, my passion to support the sport I love, continues through my current roles. As an assessor and mentor it is so rewarding supporting umpires on their journey and gives me immense satisfaction to see the delight on their faces when they succeed.
What would your one piece of advice to someone who was thinking about starting umpiring?
If you are thinking of taking up umpiring, don't be afraid of having a go. Attending an Into Officiating course is the starting point, where you will learn the rules of netball. Practice umpiring, initially at your club's training sessions. Your local County Officiating Lead can also help to guide you through your journey, identifying suitable umpiring opportunities and mentors to help you progress.
I have been actively involved in officiating for more than 30 years as a C & B Award qualified umpire and 20+ years as a qualified C & B Award Assessor and Mentor. Throughout my netball career, I have held a number of officiating lead roles, Umpiring Secretary in the Liverpool and Warrington leagues, County Officiating Lead for Merseyside and currently Cheshire, and recently elected NW Regional Officiating Lead, having done the role on an interim basis the previous year.
My biggest passion is mentoring. Over the years, in my various roles, I have successfully mentored many, many umpires, preparing them for their practical assessments as they progress through the C and B officiating pathway.
As a B Award umpire, I had many opportunities and gained significant experience umpiring at grassroots level, for Liverpool University, senior NW Regional matches and travelled around the country umpiring Cheshire County senior 1st team fixtures, national school's finals and Inter-counties and Alex Barlass tournaments.
What got you into Umpiring in the first instance?
I first got involved with netball at primary school and continued throughout high school. I wasn't aware netball existed outside of school until the early 1980's when a work colleague who played netball encouraged me to start playing again. I then cobbled together a team and in the mid 80's we entered the Liverpool Netball League and having to provide an umpire, I volunteered to have a go. Even though I loved playing, I soon realised that I had a passion for umpiring so I decided to pursue that. I commenced my umpiring journey in Merseyside then moved to Cheshire in 2002 when my daughter was selected for Cheshire County seniors.
Why do you enjoy your role within netball umpiring?
Now I am no longer able to physically umpire, my passion to support the sport I love, continues through my current roles. As an assessor and mentor it is so rewarding supporting umpires on their journey and gives me immense satisfaction to see the delight on their faces when they succeed.
What would your one piece of advice to someone who was thinking about starting umpiring?
If you are thinking of taking up umpiring, don't be afraid of having a go. Attending an Into Officiating course is the starting point, where you will learn the rules of netball. Practice umpiring, initially at your club's training sessions. Your local County Officiating Lead can also help to guide you through your journey, identifying suitable umpiring opportunities and mentors to help you progress.
