Wales Netball is pleased to share the news that it has started to offer a digital C Award umpiring theory test, thereby increasing access to the qualification for aspiring netball umpires across the country.
Netball Europe’s C Award is the first formal qualification on Netball Europe’s umpiring pathway and is the first qualification umpires must pass in Wales following the ‘Intro to Umpiring’ course. It is composed of both a theory and a practical test and by making the theoretical component of the qualification available digitally, it is now accessible all year round.
The first digital C Award theory test was taken on 30 September and resulted in a pass mark for the successful applicant, who will go on to sit their practical test in person with an assessor.
The digital theory test means that applicants will be able to sit their theory test at a time to suit them as more and more people in Wales get involved with netball around their busy professional and personal lives. Clubs and leagues across the country are always on the look out for qualified umpires and it is hoped that by improving access to the qualification, we can provide the netball community with even more officials.
Abbie Kelsall, Wales Netball’s Workforce Co-Ordinator said: “It has been fantastic to get the digital theory test for the C Award up and running! We had our first applicants sit it back in September and the feedback was really positive. Accessing the test anytime from anywhere will really improve access to the qualification and coupled with a robustly assessed practical test will provide our netball community with some high calibre new members of ‘Team White’.”
Those interested in accessing the C Award and its new digital component should contact their regional Netball Development Officer via email in the first instance. You can find their details here. Applications to sit the C Award cost £55 and this includes both the theory and practical assessment. Further information about umpiring qualifications can be found here. You can also learn more about the new digital test from Netball Europe.
Those still wishing to sit the written version of the C Award theory can still do so and your regional Netball Development Officer can provide you with more information on dates and availability. You can find their details here.