Michael Seery

Michael Seery is the umpires’ co-ordinator for the Campbelltown Netball District Association. His position requires him to oversee all of the umpires within the Campbelltown district. Through his role in the association, he works with younger umpires, sharing with them his vast knowledge of the game and ensuring that they are at an acceptable umpiring standard. He is one the highest badged umpires within Campbelltown, currently holding his National B badge. He has been umpiring netball since 1994 and is one of the most experienced umpires within the district. His many years of service to Campbelltown netball have resulted in a higher standard of umpiring throughout the association.

How did you first become involved in netball as an umpire?

My daughters were playing. I used to umpire rugby league and I had just given that up. I was watching the games and commenting on the umpiring and someone suggested that if I thought I could do a better job than maybe I should. So I said I would but I don’t have a rulebook, and so they pulled one out of the bag and gave it to me. I sat the exam and I passed and started umpiring.

What was your first experience umpiring netball like?

It wasn’t’ too bad. I umpired completely different to what you should do. I come from a background of refereeing rugby league and some aspects of the game were completely different. It took me awhile to understand that advantage is something that happens at the time, not sort of something you can let play go on and come back to it. So that was probably the interesting thing. At the time there were only a couple of males umpiring down here. It was a little bit different. I refused to wear whites, blue shorts and a blue shirt. But I eventually got into whites.

What is the best experience you have had as an umpire?

Probably some interesting experiences. I’ve umpired a couple of division one grand finals and they’ve been really good experiences. I really enjoy umpiring state league. I umpired a training game for the last World Cup in Wollongong between the Fiji side and one of the local sides.

What was that like?

Fast (laughs)

What is the worst experience you have had as an umpire?

There’s no real memorable ones, can’t have been too many bad ones. But I guess one of the worst experiences was coming off a game last year because I was injured, which was really annoying. One of my worst experiences would probably relate to injuries. I crashed into the wall at the Ann Clark centre one day. That didn’t worry me, grazed the arm, what did worry me was my knee swelled up afterwards.

have you ever suffered abuse from the sideline?

I had a couple of ‘awww’ you know. I got actually booed at Kiama once (laughs) but that’s not too bad. I haven’t actually had a lot of bad experiences. Its been pretty good.

Is there a greater sense of achievement being a male badged at such a high level?

I think it’s an achievement to be a National B male or female. But I regard it as an achievement being a male.

What’s the hardest thing about being a male umpire?

Getting kicked out of the change rooms (laughs)

What advice would you give to any males thinking about becoming an umpire?

Do it. Whether its netball or another sport, it’s a great way to be involved in the sport. It’s a sense of achievement to me just to umpire a game and finish a game. It’s really exciting.

Concluding thoughts…

I guess I get a lot out of umpiring. I also get a lot out of helping people to become umpires. That’s probably why i do the job here at Campbelltown.