The Cayman Islands Netball Association recently welcomed two World Netball representatives to help upskill local umpires.
Deborah Lynch and Anne Marie Dickson-Lewis, both members of the International Netball Umpire Award Testing Panel, visited the island to conduct a Preliminary Umpire Seminar from 4-8 Feb.
Faith Crooks, president of the netball association said, “[Having both visitors] on the island is a major milestone for the Cayman Islands Netball Association. We are providing local umpire candidates with direct access to an official accreditation pathway that is usually only available overseas.”
During the seminar, nine preliminary umpire candidates participated and two intermediate umpires, Lyneth Monteith and Carla McGarvey Blair, and one advanced level umpire, Janet Dash Harris, participated “to update their certificate.”
Crooks provided a recap of past activities leading up to five-day seminar which serves as a part of the World Netball officiating development.
“Organised by World Netball officiating coordinator for the Americas Region, Ms. Vaneisha Cadogan, the [umpire training] was done in a hybrid format. The theory portion was conducted on Zoom over nine weeks, then participants took a mock exam and then a final exam on December 13, 2025. The course facilitators were Ms. Deborah Lynch, Ms. Anne Marie Dickson-Lewis, and Ms. Joel Young Strong,” Crooks said.
Following the seminar, Crooks said the candidates “will continue umpire practice until participants are identified for the Fitness and Practical Tests” with a future date to be announced.
She highlighted the “key benefits” of the seminar: global standardisation, direct mentorship, pathways to international status, cost-effective upskilling and enhanced game quality.
International expertise
Lynch, a former Barbados national netball player and a retired International Umpire Awardee, has reached high levels of the sport having umpired at World Tournaments, the Commonwealth Games and various other tournaments.
Reflecting on her recent visit to Cayman, Lynch said, “Kudos to [Faith Crooks] who saw the importance of raising the standard of umpiring in the Cayman Islands. This augurs well for netball because with umpires more knowledgeable in the rules, this transcends to the players becoming more knowledgeable in what not to do, so as not to be penalised. A win-win for all.”
Working alongside her was Dickson-Lewis, a former Trinidad and Tobago national netball player who has been involved in officiating for 30 years and has represented the twin islands as an International Netball Umpire Awardee.
Both Lynch and Dickson-Lewis have officiated at numerous tournaments around the world and conducted seminars throughout their time in the sport.
Dickson-Lewis echoed the sentiments of Lynch, adding, “In the long run, this will be beneficial to the sport of netball in its entirety, not only within the country but across the region as a whole. I must also state that I truly appreciate the dedication and commitment demonstrated by the participants during these sessions.”
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