We asked Fay how she got started with umpiring, these are her words:

In the 2004 season I was Team Captain of Pareora A.  One Saturday we had a crunch game and I asked the secretary of NSC “what do I have to do so we can have good umpires on our game?”  I was advised that it would be arranged, but as pay-back would I umpire on a regular basis.  I umpired all of the 2005 season and when the 2006 season started, I felt I was ready to go further.  So with a sponsor, I applied to become a regional umpire.  The first step was to pass the regional theory paper which I succeeded in doing that year.  Each year I have completed a Regional applicaton.  This entitles me to coaching and assessments known as Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s).  KPI’s give feedback on what is being completed to the regional level and areas that need improving.  I have umpired at South Island Secondary Schools for the past four years and at Representative fixtures.  Each tournament, umpire coaches would provide feedback.  At Squad tournament this year, held in Christchurch over Queens Birthday, I attained my regional practical.  I was elated!

Let’s hope this will inspire many others to come forward and blow take up the challenge of being an umpire!

On 8 July four of the Mercury Energy Tactix players – Maree Bowden, Angela Mitchell, Jodi Brown and Anna Thompson travelled to Timaru and held two coaching workshops.  Approx 120 players attended in age groups of 8-10 years and 11-13 years and as well as fitness, defense, ball handling, dodging and driving to the ball skills learnt; they also had the opportunity for photos and autographs at the end of the session.  All enjoyed the experience and we hope this will become a regular slot in the school holidays in the future.  Thanks to Maree, Jodi, Angela and Anna for their input this year.

Congratulations to the following players who have been selected for the NSC Junior Represenatative Teams:

NSC Junior A: A Blackler, K Coles, C Walker, M McNally,             T Shearer, S O’Connor, B Opie, J Golding, K Shaw, G Greig  

NSC Junior B: H Mitchell, A Robinson, R O’Driscoll, B Cannell,       L Tua, T Adolf, I Stuart, G McKoewn, H Latu, K Hutton  

NSC Junior Development: Z Mulcahy, L Davenport, R Fraser,    L Dorgan, K Waud, J White, C Low, P Dewar, A Tarver  

Practise for the Junior A and Dev teams will be at the SBS Events Centre at 4pm starting Wednesday 22 July.  The Junior B team will practise at the SBS Events Centre at 5pm starting Wednesday 22 July.