Young local's umpiring career is on the rise

Another young local has been recognised for her sporting achievements, collecting the January Busselton Freight Rising Sports Star Award for her efforts in the sport of netball.

Sixteen year old Ava Simpson from the Busselton Netball Association (BNA) has had a big few years, starting in 2021 when she received the BNA most improved Umpire Award and the South West Netball Football League (SWNFL) Encouragement Award.

Her energy and dedication to the sport has drawn many accolades as she progresses her umpiring career.

“Ava was selected by the Netball WA-SW to Umpire at the Origin State Cup held in Perth with teams travelling from all the over the State,” said Busselton Freight’s Natasha O’Neill.

“Ava continued with her umpiring and was part of the Netball WA-SW Regional Umpire Academy, she umpired at the Origin State Cup and received the SWNFL Junior Umpire of the Year Award in 2022.

“She then umpired at the WA Netball League (WANL) Futures Challenge held in Perth 22/23, and went on to obtain her B Badge at the State Cup in October.

“Across all of WA only around 20 B badges are awarded each year.”

The dedicated youngster has now been selected in the 2023 State Umpire Performance Program and umpired her first GIG WANL (Gold Industry Group-West Australian Netball League) U20s game.

“It is fantastic to see an umpire rising up through the ranks from the grass roots, Busselton Netball Association, South West Netball Football League then progressing to the Regional Academy and stepping up to the next level-WANL,” Ms O’Neill said.

“This is Ava’s first season of WANL and she is a bright, shining young star.”