Sport
18 May, 2026
Jones steps up to getting umpire badge
Jones officially received her accreditation during the morning after umpiring the Under 17s match (betweem Birchip-Watchem and Boort), before later taking the court herself in B Grade.
YOUNG Birchip-Watchem Bulls netballer Toni Jones capped off a memorable day on Saturday after receiving her C Grade umpire badge before being called into action in a senior game at short notice.
Jones officially received her accreditation during the morning after umpiring the Under 17s match, before later taking the court herself in B Grade.
The day quickly became even busier when she received an urgent call while watching the senior football.
“I got a phone call saying that Brenda had hurt her hamstring,” Jones said.
“I ran back over, chucked my umpire stuff on, and I started umpiring at half-time.”
Stepping into a senior match with little warning could have rattled many young umpires, but Jones handled the pressure well.
“It was a bit nerve-wracking,” she said.
“It was a lot quicker than what I’ve umpired, but I adjusted pretty well.”
Her willingness to step up at short notice highlighted the important role local umpires and volunteers play in keeping country sport running smoothly each weekend.
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