Busselton's busiest umpire: Tanika lands Rising Sports Star award

The latest Busselton Freight Rising Sports star recipient, Tanika Dunlop, has been acknowledged for her significant achievements with sports umpiring.

Tanika was recently invited to umpire at the National Netball Championships for School Sports 15U and is also representing the South West Netball Region as a player.

As well as her efforts on the court, Tanika also spends time volunteering and coaching netball.

In 2019, she received the Busselton Netball Association (BNA) Rising Star Umpire Award and was selected by the Netball WA-SW to umpire at the Origin State Cup in Perth.

Tanika was part of the Netball WA-SW Regional Umpire Academy and was selected to umpire a South West Netball Football League (SWNFL) grand final before being awarded the SWNFL Junior Umpire of the Year Award in 2021.

While umpiring at the Origin State Cup in October, she went on to obtain her B Badge – an accomplishment achieved by only 20 people across WA each year.

In 2022 the talented athlete’s rise continued at the NWA SW Regional Umpiring Academy, which saw her umpiring at SWNFL including another grand final, the Great Southern Regional Championships, the State Cup and was also invited to umpire at WA Netball League underpinning games.

This year Tanika kept up with all her committments while being selected for the State Umpire Performance Program.

She went on to umpire five Gold Industry Group WANL 20 & Under games.

When not umpiring in Perth, Tanika umpres locally in the SWNFL and at the WANL Futures Challenge and at the NW Regional Championships.

“It is fantastic to see an umpire rising up through the ranks from the grass roots – Busselton Netball Association, SWNFL then progressing to the Regional Academy and stepping up to the next level-WANL,” a Busselton Freight spokesperson said.

“This is Tanika’s first season of umpiring at the WANL and is a bright shining young star who has just been selected for the Fever in Time Umpire Program South West as an Umpire Coach (Cadet), something she should be extremely proud of.”

As a netball player, Tanika stars in the SW Jets Academy, was the SWNFL MVP for the 18 and Under division in 2022, represents the Busselton Netball Association and plays locally for Royals Netball Club, while also playing in the 18U SWNFL competition.

“A special mention should also be made of her contribution to the sport where Tanika obtained her Development Coaching Accreditation, a requirement of Netball WA to coach association-representative teams.

“Tanika coached the BNA 13U Rep team, Geographe Bay Dodgers Netball Club and her contribution was recognised with her being awarded the Club Person of the Year at this Club in 2022.

“She also volunteers her time to provide umpire coaching at BNA and now also with the FIT umpire program.”