One of six umpires to make their debut in the Ruby Series already this season, Killer is the third regional official to be part of NQ’s Sapphire/Ruby umpires squad alongside Rockhampton’s Alice Maguire and Cairns’ Stewart Ting.
“Previously we had no regional umpires doing Sapphire/Ruby and it's tremendous to see the growth of regional umpires into this program,” NQ Workforce Development Manager Claire Kleinschmidt said.
“The spread of associations in our umpiring squad, particularly some of our smaller associations, that are represented highlights the program’s ability to provide opportunity and identify umpiring talent across the state.”
Killer's ascent comes mere months after she and Maguire part of a four-person group named by NQ in their Regional Umpire Development Squad last October alongside Mackay pair Zoe Jaenke and Adriene Kannengiesser.
Along with Killer, Underwood Park’s Charlotte Brown, Ella Warren and Gabby Parker from the Sunshine Coast, Hinterland’s Kelsie Kearsley and Maddy Cahill from Jimboomba have also debuted in the Ruby Series this year.
Additionally, two umpires have made their Sapphire Series debut - Elisa Dennis from Highfields and Chantal Hawkins from Western Districts.
Underwood Park’s Kleinschmidt is one of four NQ umpires in the pool for the new SN Reserves alongside Jess Lakeman from Downey Park, Nicola Stevens from Western Districts and James Matthews-Maher from Metro.
Adding to the milestones, Abbey Bassingthwaighte umpired her 50th Sapphire/Ruby match recently with more expected to reach this significant mark later this season.
Netball Queensland is hosting an Umpiring Webinar on Umpire Testing presented by Sapphire/Ruby umpire coach Di Cocker on Tuesday, 18 June at 6pm. Registrations cost $10 each and can be made through Netball Learning. Click HERE for more information noting all sessions are recorded and sent to registered participants who cannot attend live.
