Netball umpire
Program Selection Trials will be held on 18/19 October 2025
Athlete pathways
The Northern Inland Academy of Sport Netball Umpire program provides a formalised link between local representative netball and NSW state team selection.
The program operates under Netball Australia and Netball NSW guidelines to up-skill athletes and prepare them for state team trials.
Together Netball NSW and the Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) create a supportive, challenging and fun culture to introduce athletes, umpires and coaches with identified talent to performance sport. Programs will focus on long term individual development and will lead the way in transforming potential on and off the court.
The NIAS program will provide athletes, umpire athletes and coaches with opportunities to train in the Northern Inland region as a squad and also come together to attend the Academy Camp, the Your Local Club Academy Games and the Academy Challenge.
Athlete benefits
NIAS Netball Umpire Athletes will receive the following benefits, ie. the same as athletes in the Netball program:
- Regional training sessions | technical and tactical Netball skill development
- Access to RuralFit Training Hubs around the region for strength and conditioning training.
- Access to a network of specialised coaches and guest coaches
- Access to purchase NIAS merchandise pack
- Athlete education in topics such as nutrition, sports psychology, motivation, leadership and load management, drugs in sport, media training, and social media
- Fitness testing
- Functional movement screening
- Personal development
- Playing opportunities to represent NIAS at Academy Camp (Sydney, March 2026),
Your Local Club Academy Games (Tamworth, 17-19 April, 2026), and Academy Challenge (Wollongong, September 2026).
Eligibility
Age 14 – 18 years in 2026.
To be eligible for the NIAS Netball Umpires program, athletes must be turning 14-18 years in 2025 (ie. born 2007- 2011).
All athletes must be a registered member of a local Netball association, and reside in or attend school in the NIAS catchment area.
Athletes will be offered a place in the NIAS Netball Umpires Program based on performance at selection trials and through talent identification processes, including attitude and commitment to Netball.
Program Information
Program Costs
- Program levy includes strength and conditioning, all venue hires, NIAS uniforms, education and training sessions.
- Your Local ClubAcademy Games, Academy Camp and Academy Challenge levy (selected athletes will be sent a separate invoice)
Program Personnel
Dana Dehm – Umpire Coach
Squad
To be announced Friday 1 November 2025
Schedule & Flyer
- Sunday 9 November 2025 Induction at Lake Keepit – Gunnedah
- NIAS Squad regional training sessions, Strength & Conditioning and education
- Academy Camp (Sydney, March 2026), Your Local Club Academy Games (selected athletes) 17 – 19 April 2026 in Tamworth, Academy Challenge (Wollongong, September 2026
Program Partners

ATHLETE BENEFITS & COMMITMENT
- Intensive coaching from accredited regional, guest and state level coaches.
- Regional training sessions – technical and tactical skill development.
- Performance Support including Sport Psychology, Nutrition, Fitness Assessments, RuralFit -Strength & Conditioning and more.
- Complimentary invitations to the annual Academy Awards.
- Opportunities to participate in higher level competitions and challenges.
- Be committed to a holistic approach to their development, both on and off the field.
- Comply with the training requirements and respond in a positive manner to any feedback.
- Maintain an appropriate performance standard to continue to receive opportunities.
- Behave and dress in an appropriate manner when representing NIAS and its sponsors.
Wear NIAS apparel when representing the Academy at events. - Be available to sponsors and the media for promotional purposes.
- Adhere to NIAS Athlete Code of Conduct and policies including anti-doping policy.
- Maintain regular communication with NIAS and coaching staff as required.
$220 includes: training sessions, coaching and performance support activities, and invitations to special events such as the annual Academy Awards Night.
- Academy Challenges, Academy Games and any specific Sports Tours are additional to the Athlete Levy. Costs differ from sport to sport.
- Athlete Uniform. Uniform requirements vary from sport to sport.
Past Squad Archives
Mackenzie Knox