Umpiring explained

This Monday evening the Katanning International Rules Basketball Association are running a free umpiring information session.

The information session is compulsory for at least two players from each senior team in the Katanning competition and players and parents from the junior competition are strongly encouraged to attend.

Leading the session is national-level umpire, Katanning-born Cassidy Pontillo, who said the session would provide valuable information.

“It’s about explaining the mechanics of umpiring on the court, where umpires need to stand, what to call and when to call it,” she said.

Ms Pontillo said the areas of responsibility for each umpire during the game needed to be clearly identified so that they could moderate the game fairly.

“What I’ve learnt is that you have to get a feel for the game and maintain fairness at all times.”

Ms Pontillo is highly experienced in basketball umpiring, having been involved in the discipline for more than 13 years, since she was 12 years old.

She is also in her fourth year of umpiring in the State basketball league and has represented Western Australia, umpiring in national tournaments.

“I’m a big fan of the NBL and the Perth Wildcats, and have been able to sit in on pre and post-game information sessions for umpires that gives lots of opportunities to gain more skills,” Ms Pontillo said.

She said she hoped that through the information session there would be a stronger representation in the younger generation.

“Fingers crossed we have a positive response,” she said.

The information session runs from 7pm until 8.15pm at the Katanning Leisure Centre this Monday night.