Netball Umpires’ Code of Conduct
1. Treat all players with respect at all times.
2. Accept responsibility for all actions taken. Exercise reasonable care to prevent injury by ensuring players play within the rules. Reasonable care consists of advising the players of illegal body movements, showing due diligence in detecting infringements and penalising rule breakers.
3. Place the safety and welfare of the players above all else. Although it is the responsibility of umpires to ensure that the playing conditions are safe, in the end it is he association’s decision. If a court supervisor or equivalent, is appointed and present at the match they would decide whether the game should commence or continue and eal with any emergencies relating to a safe environment or anticipate any foreseeable dangers and deal with it appropriately. If no such person is present, you should make a decision as to whether the match should commence or continue due to adverse conditions, safe environment or foreseeable dangers.
4.Umpires must be impartial and maintain integrity in their relationship with other umpires, players and coaches.
5. Be courteous, respectful and open to discussion and interaction.
6. Value the individual in sport. Ensure the players have the opportunity for discussion with you after the match.
7. Seek continual self-improvement through study, performance appraisal and regular updating of competencies. Maintain or improve your current badge level and seek ontinual improvement.
8. Encourage inclusivity and access to all areas of officiating. Aim for excellence based upon realistic goals and due consideration for growth and development.
9. Be a positive role model in behaviour and personal appearance by maintaining the highest standards of personal conduct and projecting a favourable image of netball and umpiring at all times.
10. Refrain from any form of personal abuse towards players. This includes verbal, physical and emotional abuse. Be alert to any forms of abuse directed towards the players from other sources while they are playing. (Abide by Netball Victoria Member Protection Regulation).
11. Refrain from any form of harassment towards players. Treat all players fairly within the context of their sporting activities, regardless of gender, race, place of origin, athletic potential, colour, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, socio-economic status, and other conditions. (Abide by Netball Victoria Member Protection Regulation).
12. Show concern and caution towards ill and injured players. You should enforce the blood rule and apply procedures regarding ill or injured players according to the rule book. Common sense must be applied in all cases.