Umpire Code of Conduct

Thank you for taking on the responsibility of being an umpire for the Chicago Netball Club Inc. ("CNC"). The club would not exist without your participation.

As an umpire at CNC, you must meet the following requirements in regard to your conduct during any activity held or sanctioned by CNC:

1. 1.1 Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
2. 1.2 Be fair, considerate and honest in all dealing with others.
3. 1.3 Be professional in, and accept responsibility for, your actions.
4. 1.4 Be aware of, and maintain an uncompromising adhesion to, CNC standards, rules, regulations and policies.
5. 1.5 Operate within the rules of netball, specifically the World Netball Rules (Rules of Netball). All players/umpires should access the rules via the link. This link is also available on the CNC website. It is recommended that all umpires also have the rules app on their phone so rules can be quickly accessed if necessary. CNC will communicate when moving to any future rules.
6. 1.6 Refrain from any form of harassment of others.
7. 1.7 Refrain from any behavior that may bring CNC, a participating team or associated organizations into disrepute or that is detrimental to the image of the program (unsportsmanlike, abusive, violent, etc).
8. 1.8 Understand the repercussions if you breach, or are aware of any breaches of, this code of behavior (see section 3).

In addition to CNC's General Code of Conduct, you must meet the following requirements in regard to your conduct as an umpire during any activity held or sanctioned by CNC:

1. 2.1 Umpire to the best of your ability. This will benefit each game played, and will also benefit you.
2. 2.2 Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
3. 2.3 At all times, be fair and supportive of other umpires.
4. 2.4 Conduct yourself in a professional manner relating to language and temper. Verbal abuse is unacceptable.
5. 2.5 Commit to maintaining a level of fitness that allows the umpire to move and keep up with play for the duration of the match.
6. 2.6 Wear the CNC white shirt when umpiring.
7. 2.7 Wear appropriate footwear when umpiring. Slides, sandals, flip flops, socks only or barefoot are not considered appropriate for umpiring.
8. 2.8 Umpire according to the rules of netball and the principles of fairplay.
9. 2.9 Understand that CNC has players of all skill levels, and adapt to the players' range of experience.
10. 2.10 Maintain calm decisive control of matches, utilizing appropriate game management to ensure player safety, as per the World Netball 2024 rules.
11. 2.11 Understand that CNC is a social club. Allow spectators to cheer good play from both teams.
12. 2.12 Keep in mind that spectators are not permitted to communicate with umpires directly to influence their decisions, nor are they able to engage in an abusive manner to players/umpires/other spectators. Umpires shall ask spectators to change behaviour if they are in violation, or if needed, ask spectators to leave if that behaviour is not changed.
13. 2.13 Umpire in a manner that maintains the fun of the game.
14. 2.14 Appreciate and co-operate with other umpires.
15. 2.15 Attend meetings or trainings held during the season by the head umpire or board. The trainings should be prioritized to build on skills on each umpire's individual journey.

The CNC board will provide sufficient support for umpires as follows:

1. 4.1 Each season, a head umpire will be assigned by the CNC Board.
2. 4.2 One board member will also be selected to serve as the liaison between the umpires and the board.
3. 4.3 The CNC will aim to provide training opportunities for current umpires and other members who wish to be umpires.
4. 4.4 Members who agree to umpire will be provided the time and opportunity to gain experience umpiring. Newer umpires will be provided a shadow, as determined by the head umpire. Umpires can also request a shadow if desired.
5. 4.5 Opportunities for gaining additional umpire qualifications will be shared.
6. 4.6 The CNC Board is committed to ensuring that umpires are treated with respect, and will not tolerate disrespect or abuse towards umpires.
7. 4.7 The CNC Board will work with the head umpire to provide support/training for umpires following any breach of the Code of Conduct to facilitate their return if appropriate.