Netball Queensland reveals 2023 umpiring squads

Netball Queensland is proud to announce a trio of umpires have been selected for the state’s High Performance Program after being appointed to Netball Australia competitions in 2022.

Downey Park’s Jessica Lakeman, Metropolitan Districts’ James Matthews and Underwood Park’s Claire Kleinschmidt have all been chosen after NQ announced the participants in their 2023 Performance and Pathway Umpiring Programs.

Lakeman and Matthews both officiated at the Australian Netball Championships this year while Kleinschmidt was involved in that tournament as well as the National Netball Championships and on a casual contract for Suncorp Super Netball.

Kleinschmidt was also recently named in Netball Australia’s Talent and Development Pool for 2023.

All three have already commenced strength and conditioning and court sessions with NQ’s Emerging Athlete Program.

“Jess, James and Claire are three highly talented umpires and we are excited to see how the program can help them achieve their ambitions for 2023 and beyond,” Netball Queensland’s Head of Elite Netball, Roselee Jencke, said.

As well as the High Performance Program, selectors have chosen 18 umpires for the Sapphire and Ruby Program while a further 25 people have been named in the Developing Umpire Program.

Having been identified at the Nissan State Titles, Underwood Park’s Lilyana Fawkes and Brisbane’s Holly McNee have been chosen in the Sapphire and Ruby Program for the first time.

Having retired from international umpiring, experienced official Marc Henning has elected to continue with the Sapphire and Ruby Program in 2023 to support the continued growth of up-and-coming umpires.

The development squad meanwhile includes umpires from across the state with Mt Isa, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Gladstone among the regional areas represented.

“These umpires were identified and invited to apply following various Netball Queensland events throughout the year,” Jencke said.

“It’s great to see so many associations represented in our Performance and Pathway Umpiring Program.”

As part of the program, Sapphire/Ruby and development series participants will undertake monthly online development sessions and targeted umpire coaching throughout the year.