This season Haydn umpired his 100th Premier League Game. We recently sat down with Haydn to talk to him about his umpiring journey.
How did you get into umpiring/tell us about your umpiring journey?
I started off playing at an indoor mixed comp with nets from around the age of 7. A few years later at the age of 10 I was handed a whistle by the event organiser who said to me “You’re umpiring the next timeslot”! Without any say or clue on the matter I got on the court and umpired. After the game I thought to myself “that wasn’t so bad” so I volunteered to umpire the following week.
From there I went to my local club at Manly Warringah where Mum played A Grade and with the help and support from her and several others including my Club Convenor Michele McKay, I was given the opportunity to umpire. Shortly after this I was awarded my Manly Warringah Umpires Badge (yes they still had those then) and the following year awarded my C Badge at the age of 12.
Throughout my teens and early twenties I had outside commitments with Sydney Youth Orchestra on Saturdays which meant umpiring took a back seat for a while, however I did keep up the umpiring at a mid-week local comp at Willoughby Leisure Centre. It was there that I met Sharon Kelly who mentored me and encouraged me to return to Club Netball so that I could strive for my B Badge. As soon as I was no longer a “Youth” in the Orchestra I was able to return to Saturday Netball and within a month was awarded my B badge at the age of 23. From there I went on to Umpire State Championships and State League with Netball NSW.
In 2012 I was awarded my A Badge and through Netball Australia was offered the opportunity to umpire the Australian Netball League and was then selected for 17/U and 19/U Nationals in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Since its inception in 2016, I’ve been regularly umpiring NSW Premier League and was successfully endorsed for my A Badge in 2018 and again in 2022.
Who has had the biggest influence on your umpiring?
Definitely Sharon Kelly (OAM). Her consistency is admirable and she has always encouraged me to be true to myself and to continually find new ways to challenge and push myself as an umpire and a person so I can achieve new goals.
What keeps you motivated to keep umpiring year after year?
A passion for Netball and for umpiring itself. Every match brings with it new and different challenges and a different skillset! I just love being able to umpire with my friends and colleagues in team white. It is such a strong bond and I have made so many close friends over the years who will always be a part of my life.
Any memorable moments/highlights?
There have been so many memorable moments throughout my journey from grass roots to Premier League. One of the greatest highlights was being selected to Umpire the 19/U Grand Final at my first ever Nationals in Darwin, 2013. Although the Opens Final match between Randwick and Newcastle at State Titles in 2017 stands out as a 1 point thriller. I got to umpire this with one of my best mates Kim Chan so this has a very special place in my heart.
Tell us about what you do for work?
I’m a self-employed full time Flute and Piano Teacher.
What keeps you busy away from work and netball?
Playing and performing with Orchestras keeps me on my toes. I’m constantly going from one gig to the next and preparing new and exciting repertoire.
