The Wright Call

Friday, May 11, 2012

In this week’s The Wright Call, NSW Swifts Assistant Coach Rob Wright lets us in on a little secret and tells us where he’s taking his Mum on Mother’s Day...

I’m going to let you in on a little secret...I’m a National C Badge umpire. So not only am I a coach, a blogger, and according to the team very funny, but I am also an umpire.

In my opinion, umpiring is a tough job and mind you the majority of us are not umpiring at the ANZ Championship level. Why is it so tough? Well it’s simple - the game is played at such a frantic pace, the athletes are fitter, faster and stronger and they’re also ‘smarter’.

If I was wearing a hat, I would certainly take it off to the umpires who umpire week-in/week-out at all levels of our game because they have to control the game, make sure that the players stay safe and ensure that it’s a good contest.

That’s a pretty tough job if you ask me.

I’m a firm believer that umpires, coaches and players should work together more. There is so much that we can teach each other, but most importantly by working together we are increasing our understanding of everyone’s role.

I was in Canberra last week at the 17/U National Talent ID Camp where we were fortunate to have National Director of Umpiring Chris Burton and a number of umpires there to work with. I was able to involve the umpires in all of the courtwork sessions that I ran and so too did many of the other coaches. The feedback that they were able to give the players (and me) on little things that they should adjust or tidy up was very valuable – a wonderful learning tool for everyone.

This weekend is a big game for the NSW Swifts: the undefeated Vixens at Allphones Arena.

People often talk about it, and I know that I’d love to do it myself, where you walk out onto the MCG and take a deep breath and look around. They say that it’s a really special moment and an amazing feeling.

I know it’s not the MCG, but I get goosebumps every time I walk out on court at a NSW Swifts home game. The atmosphere that our fans create is electric – it gives me goosebumps. The feeling that you get at Allphones Arena when you walk out on court and they dim the lights and there are thousands of cheering fans; it’s a feeling that you just can’t put into words.

Sunday is also Mother’s Day. I’ll be bringing my Mum to the netball with me and I’m sure that many of you will be doing the same. I know that she’ll have her fingers crossed for a Swifts win!

Rob

P.S. Don’t forget to get your hands on a copy of SCOOP at the game on Sunday because The Wright Call will be making its debut!