Netball Taranaki is bucking the trend when it comes to umpiring.
When sports codes scream out for match officials week-in-week-out, Netball Taranaki has implemented a new progamme designed to combat the challenge locally.
A free weekly L-plates programme started during the week for young people wanting to become an umpire is proving popular around the region.
About 35 people have signed up and it is available in Taranaki's five satellites – New Plymouth, Waitara, Inglewood, Stratford and Hāwera.
Learner umpires are taken through basic theory before being assigned to a buddy, to assist them on court on a one-on-one basis.
With a "learn on the go" experience, L-plate umpires control Year 5-8 grades in the ANZ futureFERNS competitions.