The badge was awarded to Lucas at the City Night Division competition late last month.
Lucas’ strong performance at the 2019 Mellor Olsson Academy Games in early October, where he umpired the Division 1 Grand Final, led Netball SA Umpire Coaches to identify that Lucas had developed his skills to meet the B Badge competencies.
Leading into the testing, Lucas took every opportunity to help him better prepare.
“I was very excited and nervous. After the Mellor Olsson Academy Games, I still had a few things I needed to improve on, so I went through all my mentoring notes and came up with a list and shared that with my mentors. Then I umpired as many games as I could and that included some games in Port Pirie, Under 17 State Team selections and also helped out with the State Men’s and Mixed Netball team at their training,” said Lucas.
“I didn’t know at the time I was going to be the youngest, so when I found out a couple of days later it was a big surprise!”
Lucas attributes both his mother and a desire to stay connected with netball to what first motivated him to get involved with umpiring.
“I watched my mum go through the process of getting her B Badge for umpiring and I went along to some of the umpiring clinics and watched and listened when she was mentored and that got me interested.”
“Unfortunately, I can no longer play netball at Crystal Brook Netball Club and umpiring was the easiest way to remain involved and active with the club.”
Lucas says he was first supported in his umpiring through Netball SA’s Coloured Shirt Program.
“18 months ago, Crystal brook Netball club got involved with the Coloured Shirt Program and Robyn Kelly, who was our Umpires Co-Ordinator, encouraged me to get involved. I first started umpiring some of the junior grades and the E and F grade at netball training, then Robyn Kelly organised for me to umpire some under 15 games In the Port Pirie Netball Association on a Friday Night and from there I progressed into umpiring senior games.”
In a wonderful display of motivation, Lucas is committed to all the steps required to reach his big umpiring goals.
“I have a pretty ambitious goal for umpiring, and I need to take all these small steps to get there. So focusing on my short term goals makes it easier to stay motivated. My next goal is my A badge, and with the help of Netball SA I already have my small steps in place to get there.”
Lucas says he loves the connection to people that umpiring brings.
“I’ve met some really great people since I started umpiring. Mum and I have travelled to different Associations to umpire games, and I’ve umpired at a couple of carnivals and everyone has been fantastic. Having players, coaches and spectators come up after a game genuinely shake my hand and say well done is probably the thing I love most.”
Lucas says no matter what your age, it is a good performance that helps earn respect in umpiring.
“To start off with, it was getting the respect of the players, some of the players would push to see how far they can go. I try to make some good early calls to set the standard and make everyone feel comfortable, and hopefully, then go unnoticed throughout the rest of the game.”
Netball SA Workforce Coordinator – Officiating, Deanna Stainer, says it has been it pleasure working with Lucas.
“It is great to see such a passionate individual of Lucas’ age have the drive and receptiveness to strive along the Umpire Pathway. This drive, ability to listen and act on feedback is why Lucas developed his umpiring performance to meet the B Badge Competencies, “ said Deanna.
“Over the last year, Lucas has utilised any opportunity to ask questions of associations and Netball SA Umpire Coaches and absorbs any information – be it related to umpiring techniques or pathway stories to inspire and develop his umpiring.”
“Netball SA looks forward to seeing Lucas continue to develop his umpiring further in the future.”
Lucas acknowledges the combination of efforts from Netball SA, the club’s umpiring coordinator and his parents for supporting his development.
“Netball SA have been really supportive every step of the way, I can’t thank Deanna Stainer enough for her help. Deanna helped put a plan together with some specific goals to achieve and then organised some of the best umpires in SA to mentor me.”
“I really need to thank Robyn Kelly who did a lot of hard work behind the scenes contacting the right people so I can umpire. Robyn would also take time out of her days and nights and travel just to watch and mentor me.”
“And of course, I couldn’t do it all of this without mum and dad’s support. From getting up at 6am and driving me 200km so I can umpire in Adelaide, to getting home at midnight after umpiring. I can’t thank them enough.”
In considering any advice he would offer other young umpires looking to progress in the umpire pathway, Lucas says the Colour Shirt Program is a great place to start.
“Get into the Coloured Shirt Program. The program just doesn’t help you as an umpire but can also help you grow as a person. It teaches you about respect, how to communicate with other people and it can also help you build some mental toughness.”
Learn more about the Coloured Shirt Program.
