When Tamara Buriani-Gennai stepped onto court to umpire the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final las Sunday, she brought with her nerves, focus—and a stash of red frogs.
“I was a bundle of nerves, because it’s always going to be a bit of a dream for anyone to be selected for a grand final,” Buriani-Gennai said post-match.
“It truly was a dream come true.”
A proud Penrith local, Buriani-Gennai’s umpiring journey began at St Nicholas Netball Club, and her rise through the Netball NSW pathway has been steady and impressive. From early identification at a Rookies Camp, to support through high-performance mentoring and development opportunities, she’s now one of the country’s elite officials.
Her game day routine, built over years of experience, was key to staying calm under the pressure of a national final.
Breakfast was non-negotiable: avocado on toast with poached eggs and tomato, followed by a banana, yoghurt, and her match-day staple—red frogs. After the game, a well-earned chocolate milk closed out the routine.
“I went into my own little world on the day,” she said.
“I didn’t talk about the game, I just focused on my structure—stretching, reading, hydrating, ironing my skirt, planning my timing. I like to control the controllables before the whistle blows.”
Behind the scenes, Buriani-Gennai worked closely with personal speed and conditioning coaches to ensure she was physically prepared for the demands of the match.
“We do most of the strength work in pre-season so I can focus on maintenance during the year,” she explained.
“It’s about feeling your best—physically and mentally—when it counts.”
Off the court, Buriani-Gennai leads a life that’s just as disciplined—but far from the netball spotlight.
As Head of the Mammal Division at a Sydney wildlife park, she’s responsible for the daily care of koalas, wombats, dingoes, and Tasmanian devils. She’s also a qualified vet nurse and captive management specialist.
“My job grounds me,” she said.
“These animals rely on me. When I’ve had a tough game or I’m being hard on myself, I can go and check in on the wombats or cuddle a koala. It puts everything in perspective.”
Buriani-Gennai credits Netball NSW with shaping her career through a system that supports umpires at every level.
“Netball NSW opened doors for me—from the Rookies Camp to introducing me to the coaches I still work with now. The relationships I built through their programs have had a huge impact on my journey.”
She was joined by fellow Netball NSW umpires Tara Warner and Jemma Cook (reserve umpire), reinforcing the depth of talent being developed across all areas of the game.
The appointment of three NSW-based officials to such a high-profile match highlights not only their individual dedication and professionalism, but also the effectiveness of the Netball NSW system in nurturing elite-level performance—both on the court and in the umpire’s chair.
Furthermore we recognise Tara Warner, who after years of dedicated service to the game announced her retirement from umpiring today. From her beginnings at Fairfield Netball Association to the pinnacle of officiating at the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final, Tara’s journey through the Netball NSW pathway has also been nothing short of inspiring.
