Netball: International assignment for umpire

Jono Bredin
Jono Bredin
Otago umpire Jono Bredin's whistle is about to get a lot more use.


The 23-year-old tax consultant has been appointed by the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) to umpire at the Six Nations Cup in Singapore from August 31 to September 6.

The tournament will mark Bredin's international test debut.

"I'm very pleased, very excited and very surprised," Bredin said.

Bredin will be one of the youngest officials on the international stage and admitted he was not expecting the elevation so quickly.

But he was looking forward to making the most of his opportunity.

"I guess it is just proof that all the hard work is paying off. Hopefully there are bigger and better things down the track."

Bredin is not a qualified international umpire but his appointment is an indication he is moving up the ranks and further opportunities are likely if he gives a good account of himself.

The teams competing at the event are not exactly heavyweights.

Samoa (6th) is the highest-ranked side and the tournament includes Botswana, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland.

Bredin has officiated in four ANZ Championship games and said the competition was "a great learning curve".

The competition's umpiring has come under the microscope with several coaches complaining about inconsistency.

"Having a tough skin is one of the traits of an umpire, so we don't get too carried away with what a coach says."

 

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