There has been no shortage of challenges when it comes to the delayed start of the Suncorp Super Netball season, but one of those hurdles has had a silver lining for three NSW umpires.
Tayla Favell, Tamara Welsford and Shauna Winchester all received a call to make their way to Brisbane for Round 1 of the SSN.
All three are outstanding examples of local NSW umpires who have come through the pathway since starting out in umpiring at 12 or 13 years of age. They are part of the Netball Australia Emerging Talent Group of umpires, but until now the closest they had come to the big time was umpiring at the 2019 Team Girls Cup pre-season competition.
Tayla (25), who made her SSN debut in the Thunderbirds v Fever game, came through the Baulkham Hills Association. She has umpired at National Championships every year between 2016 and 2019, has been a Netball NSW Tier 1 umpire since 2016 and already gives back through a coaching role with the Sydney Netball Academy and Umpiring Committee at Baulkham Hills.
Tamara is 24 and from the Penrith District Association. She took control of the Round 1 GIANTS v Swifts game at Nissan Arena. Tamara has five years of National Championships umpiring experience (2015 to 2019) and also has Netball NSW Tier 1 status (since 2016) and coaches with Sydney Netball Academy.
Shauna was the reserve umpire in the Thunderbirds v Fever game of the opening round. The twenty-seven year-old is from the Ku-ring-Gai Association and has been a Tier 1 Netball NSW umpire since 2017. Shauna officiated at Nationals in 2019, was also a finalist in the 2019 Sport NSW Community Official of the Year and has worked with KNA umpires for many years.
Netball NSW Umpire Coach Sharon Kelly was delighted that the trio got the opportunity to experience the big stage as it provides great encouragement for all NSW emerging umpires.
“These three ladies have worked really hard on their craft, so to see them rewarded with a role in the SSN was fitting and extremely pleasing. It shows all NSW umpires that the pathway does indeed lead all the way to the national stage.
“We couldn’t be prouder of Tayla, Tamara and Shauna and look forward to supporting them further in achieving their goals.”
