Netball New Zealand has launched the Community Coaching Strategy and Community Umpiring Strategy 2026–2029, providing a clear and practical direction for supporting the people who make community netball happen every week across Aotearoa. 

Coaches and umpires play a vital role in shaping positive experiences for players, whānau and communities. These strategies focus on strengthening support, creating clearer pathways and ensuring community netball remains sustainable and enjoyable into the future. 
 
Ruth Southwood, Head of Community Netball, says the strategies are designed to better support the people at the heart of the game. 

“Community netball is powered by people who give their time, energy and passion to the game. These strategies are about making sure coaches and umpires feel supported, connected and confident in their roles, so they can continue to create positive experiences for everyone involved.” 

Why these strategies matter 

Feedback from across the netball community highlighted common challenges facing Centres and volunteers, including recruitment pressures, inconsistent access to training, and the need for stronger support systems. 

The new strategies respond directly to those insights, focusing on practical solutions that make coaching and umpiring more accessible, supported and rewarding. 

A connected approach 

Launching the coaching and umpiring strategies together reflects how closely these roles work together to support the game. 

Both strategies aim to: 

  • provide clearer development pathways 
  • improve access to learning and resources 
  • support and retain volunteers 
  • strengthen consistency across Centres 
  • create positive and safe netball environments 

A phased rollout 

Implementation begins in 2026, with new resources and initiatives introduced over time and expanded nationwide through to 2029. This staged approach allows Centres to adopt changes at a manageable pace while ensuring solutions remain practical and community-led. 

Supporting community netball into the future 

Community netball thrives because of its people. By investing in coaching and umpiring together, Netball New Zealand is strengthening the foundations of the game and supporting volunteers to continue delivering positive experiences for participants across the country. 

Coaching 

Umpiring