Young umpire Courtney shows others the way

Stepping onto the netball court whistle in hand and rules in mind, Secret Harbour teenager Courtney Pink knows exactly what she is doing.

The 16-year-old is one of the Rockingham and Districts Netball Association’s umpires, and for the past two years has volunteered her time as an umpire co-ordinator for the St Bernadette’s Netball Club.

Her dedication to the sport and her club was recognised last month at the City of Rockingham Community and Volunteer Awards, where she was named this year’s Inspirational Young Person Volunteer.

Since Courtney was seven years old she has given up her Saturdays for netball and said she would not have it any other way.

“I was in Year 2 when I first started playing and mum was my coach, and mum was helping to run the netball club so I played for a while and then when I was old enough I started umpiring,” she said.

Courtney said her mother stepped down as club president about two years ago, leading her to take on the volunteer umpire coordinator role and become a mentor to others.

“My job is to assign umpires to courts each week, make sure they are there and work with the new girls,” she said.

“They go through courses with the association first, and once they finish they become green shirted umpires, I make sure they are OK and I help them if they have any questions or need a back up.”

Nominated by her club and a fellow umpire for the City award, Courtney said it was a wonderful feeling to be recognised.

“I was really, really surprised — there were three of us up there and just when they said my name I just thought ‘wow’; it was really unexpected and it made me really proud,” she said. “My parents and the club have been so supportive.”

Coming from a family of netballers, Courtney said the love of the game came naturally.

“Mum and my nanna, and as far back as I can go in my family have all played netball, so I started for that reason really and then I just really loved it — the social side and the competiveness, and exercising in a way that is enjoyable,” she said. Courtney said being in control of a game was an uplifting experience.

“I like that I am keeping the game in control — I know in a lot of sports umpires get bagged out but I have always aimed to be an umpire that is really fair and one that could help the players,” she said.

“Your confidence needs to be there and you need to know how to brush off what people say, and know that it is not directly aimed at you.”

With four years of umpiring now under her belt, Courtney said she was yet to send anyone off the court for bad behaviour, but said every Saturday was different and she enjoyed the excitement of not knowing what to expect.

Trained by the Netball WA Academy, Courtney has had the opportunity to umpire regional netball carnivals across the State, and hopes to delve further into sport and recreation management.