Palaamo Representing NZ With Pride

 One of New Zealand’s most highly decorated umpires David Palaamo is savouring the experience of working at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, not behind the whistle, but as part of the three-person International Testing Panel (ITP).

 The trio are tasked with the coaching and allocating of umpires for each of the Netball matches across eleven days of competition.

Palaamo officiated at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and the 2003 World Netball Championships in Jamaica and since retiring from umpiring has become even more involved in Netball, as coach of the NZ Men’s team, the NZ Men’s National President and now as part of the ITP.

He says being asked to work in Glasgow was a real honour.

“I was very excited to be a part of this Commonwealth Games event,” he said.

“It will be different to see it from an ITP role instead of an umpire. As far as ITP is concerned, this is my biggest role to date and apart from the World Cup, this event is the biggest, so I am honoured to have been selected as an ITP for Glasgow.

“I have umpired at a Commonwealth Games before and this will certainly be just as challenging,” Palaamo said.

For the first time, umpires assigned to the Commonwealth Games gathered for a camp before the event, an initiative organised by the International Netball Federation (INF). They focussed on umpiring specific skills – techniques, game management, advantage and rules - to name a few.

The umpire camp has also included sessions on performing under pressure, injury prevention and training, match analysis, eye tracking, nutrition and sleep/recovery.

Palaamo said the camp was a fantastic idea and something that should be replicated ahead of every pinnacle event in Netball.

“I think the purpose of the umpire’s camp prior to the Commonwealth Games was designed to help bring all IUA's to a more even understanding of the application of the rule book.

“As an ITP, I would want to see that the umpiring remains consistent for the whole tournament.”

“But I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’m also excited to be able to help the IUA'S progress forward with their umpiring careers,” Palaamo said.

The cherry on the top for Palaamo at these Glasgow Games would be a hand shake with the fastest man in the world - Usain Bolt. Fingers crossed!