Youthful Donna's talent as an umpire matures

AT JUST 17, Donna Brehaut has become the youngest player in Guernsey to gain the All England grade B umpiring award. After six months of hard work, she was assessed in the UK at the end of March.

After successfully answering a series of oral questions and having been observed umpiring a game, the young Sarnian passed with flying colours.

'The whole experience has given me the belief and confidence in my own ability and I am very pleased to have gained such a qualification at a young age,' Brehaut said.

'Everyone has been really supportive in me gaining my grade B umpiring award - especially my mum. I would like to thank PwC for all their sponsorship and support - without them, it would have been difficult to travel to the UK to gain valuable experience.'

The All England umpiring awards are divided into three levels. Grade C is the first step on the ladder, while at B an umpire can be requested to oversee any South Region match, including a Division One fixture.

A grade A umpire is considered sufficiently experienced and knowledgeable to umpire Premier League All England Netball Association and Super League AENA matches.

In gaining her B award, Brehaut has received tuition both in the UK and in Guernsey from visiting experts.

She has also continued to gain experience through regularly umpiring local Premier League and Division One games and was invited to officiate at the National Schools Under-14 and Under-16 Championships at Kingsmead in the UK in January.

She also umpired two South Region Division Two matches in the UK.

Brehaut has been playing netball since she was nine and has been at Nerine throughout.

She has represented the island at all ages, currently at under-19 level, and trains as part of the PricewaterhouseCoopers School of Excellence.

This season, she has featured in Nerine A's South Region Division Two campaign, which has meant several trips to the UK.

As well as umpiring, Brehaut also plays an active part in coaching the Junior League team, Donna's Blonde Moments.

'It's great to pass experience on to youngsters and it is good to see them enjoying themselves.

'I hope to encourage younger players to start umpiring and help in developing the next generation of umpires to ensure that Guernsey netball continues to grow.'