KDNA Umpiring Staff
- Development Officer - Umpiring:
- Association Umpire Development Officer
- Communications Officer
- Umpire Coaches
Nicole McKennay
As the Development Co-ordinator – Umpiring I Bring A Wealth of Netball Experience as a Coach and Umpire.
Starting My Netball Career in The North West of WA. Although I never played at the higher levels, I took on the challenges of Association Development Team Coach, to gain a better understanding of The Rules Of The Game And Appreciate The Technicalities Of The Sport it Also Helped Instil A Sense Of Respect all the officials which include Score bench, Coaching & Umpiring. Umpiring is not easy; however, I have always said “that if it was easy no one would want to do it”. “Failing is not an option” and there is always something new and challenging to learn.
In my younger years I completed all my training at Kalamunda & Districts Netball Association until aged 18 and made a move to live in Karratha for 15 years. During that time I achieved all my National Accreditations from the North West with assistance from the Karratha Netball Association Inc. and it still holds great memories and good friends.
In 2001 I returned to Perth to live and give my boys education and career opportunities, in this time I took up the role of AUDO for Kalamunda and held that role for 9 years, developed umpires to all levels. Then moving into a more director and advisory role as Development Co-ordinator – Umpiring.
My Australian Umpiring Journey with the Mens & Mixed Netball Association commenced in 2004 and wound up in 2012, with my tours being to New Zealand, Cook Islands & Miami along with every state of Australia that Nationals Tournament was held in over that time. I had the pleasure of umpiring Mens, Mixed and U18 teams and enjoyed every challenging moment of it. I worked with Australian & State Coaches like Norma Plummer and Jill McIntosh and others along the way. Which gave me a great appreciation of their dedication and commitment to Netball.
Currently I am working with Netball WA to coach and develop umpires into the pathway for Netball WA and Australia. This includes coaching at the Western Australian Netball League for the past five years, previously I was given the opportunity to umpire at State League for 2 years. As well as developing umpires at Netball WA events like NAIDOC, Association Championships, State Cup and Fever in Time Training.
My Role as The Development Officer – Umpiring for KDNA Is To Help Develop All Umpires Whatever Their Current Skill Level. From The Beginner To The Seasoned Umpire, KDNA Run Umpiring Programs To Suit Your Needs. My Role Also Includes Working With Clubs To Help Educate Members On The Rules, Offer Opportunity For Further Development To Those Umpires Not Wishing To Be A Part Of Squad.
Ali Senior
Starting my Netball life at Foothills Netball Association when I was little, I played and then then learned to umpire, eventually becoming the Junior Umpires Co-Ordinator, teaching the new little ones to learn how to umpire with the Green Shirt Program.
I also umpired and played at KDNA, as Foothills ran a Home and Away Competition for their Division 1 players in-conjunction with KDNA.
During this time, I developed myself as an Umpire, working through my Association level Badges and towards my National C Badge. I was also fortunate at being selected in Darling Range Regional Development Umpiring Squads for a few years.
I met Nicole McKennay whilst training with this Squad and she was one of the coaches that helped develop me to be able to attain my National C Badge.
I achieved this in the year 2000 and then started to work towards my National B badge over the next couple of years.
I was invited to umpire at State Schools Girls and Academy Cups and received coaching from State League Umpires and Coaches as well.
My time in Australia was cut short in 2005 as I had an opportunity to move to the UK which I took. My career and life in the UK didn’t leave me much time for netball over there, although I tried to get involved. But the hours and commitment of my career, meant that I was unavailable most of the time. So Netball was put on hold for nearly 10 years!
When I returned to Australia in 2014, one of the first things I wanted to do was to get back into netball. So, I contacted my local Associations as I had no idea if anyone that I knew was still involved, and KDNA was the only one that replied!
(everyone else’s loss! HaHaHa!)
Nicole remembered me and asked me to join the KDNA squad and I have not looked back.
Not only have I developed my own umpiring by achieving my National B Badge in 2016, but I also joined the KDNA committee as the Umpire Co-Ordinator, a position I held for 3 years. I assisted Nicole to deliver and grow the KDNA umpiring programs during that time.
I have taken a step back and am no longer the Umpire co-ordinator at KDNA, but am still very passionate about assisting and coaching young umpires to develop their skills of the game. I believe that it not only helps them on the court with both Umpiring and Playing, but it can provide building blocks for life skills as they grow up too.
In 2020 I took on the Media Role at KDNA which involves publishing newsletters to our members and updating information on our Website.
On a personal note, in 2019, I was fortunate enough to also have my little boy, Marcus. Most of the Association were aware of my growing belly and most of you would have already seen him with me up at KDNA since that time. He will be around Netball for many more years to come, and I hope with the Boys/Mens game gaining popularity that he will have a pathway to move into as well.
Senior Coaches;
Lisa Ahnstrom, Steph Smith, Sally Sims, Cherie Stoodley, Jodie Smith
Junior Coaches;
Ciara Thackray, Emma Stack, Lucy Roberts, Sienna Read, Lucy Sharp, Lilly Orr, Gabi Dow, Lauren Williamson, Felicity Tate
“If you’re really passionate about the game, you’ll always put your best foot forward. Whatever position you’re put in, that’s the passion you have to get the turnovers, to get the shots in, and pass the ball to your team-mates.”