Campsmount

In September 2010, a large number of students opted to complete the Netball Youth Umpire course during PE Curriculum time. Part of the option was ensuring that students knowledge of the game of Netball was there as a grounding in preparation to complete the course. Then the second part of the option was the completion of the course.

This took place over the next 3 months and consisted of students developing their knowledge of the rules of the game and how to be an effective umpire. Following this then over the next  8 months the students have continued to gain experience of umpiring games at various Netball fixtures and festivals that we hosted as part of belonging to the Flying High School Sports Partnership. The students found this very useful and also an enjoyable experience.

Then in October 2011, 12 umpires were put forward who had shown a willingness to work towards achieving this award to gain extra vital experience by organising and umpiring  a Year 7 festival to take place at Hayfield School just before October half term. The students worked with testers from England Neball to develop their knowledge further in preparation for being tested for this award.

The Year 7 students who played in the festival were from a range of schools across the Doncaster borough and they were released from school for the afternoon to play a fun round robin tournament. All of the 12 umpires worked as a trio to take it in turns to umpire different games on their court. This was a fantastic experience and one which the Year 7 students all benefited from and enjoyed too.

After completing this a handful of those students who have shown a high level of ability are now working towards completing their qualification and the remaining students have been given an opportunity to work hard and re-visit this being tested for this later in the academic year if they choose to. I was extremely proud of how the students have handled themselves during the process of completing this course.

C.Knowland (Campsmount School Sports Co-ordinator)