Broome Netball umpires to upskill with Community TAB grant support

Broome Netball Association has been given a special opportunity to further support its volunteer umpires after receiving a $2000 grant from Racing and Wagering WA’s Community TAB program. The program has been supporting grassroots sports in the State by providing grants to two sporting clubs each month, with Broome Netball Association one of the latest recipients. Association president Christie Milenkovic said the extra funding would be used to send its developing officials to Perth to take part in training sessions with metro-politan-based officials and competitions to enhance their skills. “Being awarded the Community TAB sports grant will allow the Broome Netball Association volunteers a fantastic, unique umpiring development opportunity in Perth,” she said. “Our dedicated officials will be given the chance to experience netball at a different standard, gain valuable advice and knowledge from other officials, and further expand their skills to better improve netball in Broome.” Ms Milenkovic said Broome netball umpires had consistently supported community events and the club had a culture focused on fun, fairness, family involvement and fundamental skills. “Umpires have given up their time to umpire games for school carnivals such as V Swans Port Hedland Carnival in Broome, Kimberley Cup, the North West NAIDOC Carnival and intra/interschool netball events,” she said. “The Broome netball umpires have also supported the mixed netball program by enabling the competition to be adjudicated by well-qualified umpires. “Without the support of these umpires, the competition could not function.” RWWA chief executive Ian Edwards said the organisation recognises the importance of grassroots sport in Western Australia. “We are honoured to be supporting local sporting clubs to ensure they can continue to play a vital role in the community,” he said. “Grassroots sporting clubs not only provide important benefits for individual wellbeing, but they also bring people from the local community together.”