Four English officials – Gary Burgess, Heather Gleadall, Kate Mann and Louise Travis – are all set for the Netball World Cup 2023 in Cape Town this summer.
Gleadall will head up the Umpire Appointments Panel (UAP) and will act as Chair having been a member of the UAP at the Vitality Netball World Cup 2019 in Liverpool.
Mann will make her umpiring debut at a World Cup while this will be the third World Cup for Travis (2011, 2019, 2023) and fourth for Burgess (2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023).
Find out more about each of the English officials below.
Occupation: HR Director
How many years have you been umpiring for? 28 (yikes!!)
How long have you been umpiring internationally? I have been an IUA since 2009, so 14 years, but did international events for a couple of years before that as an ITID.
How many Netball World Cups have you attended? This will be my third. I have umpired at Singapore (2011), Liverpool (2019) and now Cape Town (2023).
What is the best part about umpiring a World Cup? Umpiring the best players in the world, with some of the best umpires in the world, and umpiring all the different styles of netball that our globalsport offers.
What are you most looking forward to in South Africa? I have never been to Cape Town, so am really looking forward to experiencing the city. I am also excited about umpiring at another world event hosted by an African nation – having umpired at the World Youth Cup in Botswana in 2017, I know the atmosphere is going to be spectacular.
Occupation: Director of School Improvement
How many years have you been umpiring for? I did my novice umpire when I was about 13. Then fell back into netball umpiring when I was about 27.
How long have you been umpiring internationally? Aug 2021 awarded IUA. Prior to that ITID since 2018.
How many Netball World Cups have you attended? This is my first one!!!
What is the best part about umpiring a World Cup? Visiting a different country. Umpiring with others from around the world. Getting to know other cultures. Umpiring different styles of netball.
What are you most looking forward to in South Africa? The regional qualifiers last Aug were amazing – there was so much energy brought by the fans, players and organisers. I can’t wait to be part of the atmosphere and whole experience of the event.
Occupation: Head of Officiating – England Netball
How many years have you been umpiring for? 23 years
How long have you been umpiring internationally? 13 years
How many Netball World Cups have you attended? This will be my fourth Netball World Cup after Singapore (2011), Sydney (2015) and Liverpool (2019).
What is the best part about umpiring a World Cup? Being part of a team and renewing old and making new friendships. It’s strange how you might go a few years without seeing your colleagues from overseas but the minute you come together it is as if no time has past. I am always thankful to the sport that it has enabled me to make friends all over the world.
What are you most looking forward to in South Africa? South African hospitality is second to none in the netball world so I am looking forward to the show the local organising committee has planned. I feel privileged to be involved in this World Cup which will be the first senior event held on the African continent.
What is your role at the upcoming NWC? Chair of the UAP
How many years have you been involved in Officiating? I started umpiring in 1983.
How long have you been assessing internationally? Since 2009 but as an ITP since 2016.
Have you attended a pinnacle event as an Umpire Appointments Panel (UAP) member before? Some of my UAP appointments since 2016 include a Wales v New Zealand test series (2017), Africa Qualifiers for the 2019 Netball World Cup (in Zambia in 2018), the Vitality Netball World Cup 2019, and two Quad Series (2019 and 2023).
What is the best part about being a member of the UAP? As well as the assessment side of the role, I get a lot of satisfaction in working with the umpires and helping them to develop further.
What are you most looking forward to in South Africa? Working with different UAP from around the world, and also working with the top umpires. As I have been appointed as Chair, I am looking forward to any challenges that may come with the role.
Here’s how you can follow all the NWC2023 action this summer. Both Sky Sports (all matches) and the BBC (from day four) will show this summer’s Netball World Cup so fans won’t miss a minute of the action! Make sure you’re following England Netball on social media for the latest news and updates (Twitter), photos (Facebook), behind-the-scenes content (Instagram) and fun (TikTok) as the Vitality Roses continue their preparations.
Interested in officiating? With interest in the sport growing at an unprecedented rate, the need for officials to service the game at every level has never been more important. Find out how you could start or continue your journey here.
