WORCESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: during the Vitality Netball Superleague match between Severn Stars and Saracens Mavericks at the University of Worcester Arena on March 04, 2019 in Worcester, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images for England Netball)
Umpire Jackie Mizon has today called time on both her domestic and international umpiring careers.
Mizon, a veteran of 81 international test matches, has career credits which include attendances at the 2015 and 2019 Netball World Cups and at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games where she umpired the semi-final between Australia and New Zealand.
Reflecting on her stellar career, Mizon said: “International umpiring has taken me around the world to places I never dreamt of being able to see.
“I have been privileged to work with fantastic athletes, coaches, umpires and technical officials, influenced by some amazingly talented individuals involved in netball and met people who have become friends for life.
“I have loved it all, especially my experiences in Africa. I first visited in 2013 and was privileged to work with Liz Broomhead and Joan Smit in their tireless efforts to support the education and growth of all aspects of netball in this region.
“The lessons learned here stood me in good stead for experiences working with top ranked teams in competitions around the world including Constellation Cup, Quad Series and Netball Europe.
“Being an international umpire has been a wonderful experience and I feel blessed to have been a part of it all.”
Domestically, Mizon has been a stalwart of the Vitality Netball Superleague since 2012 umpiring well over 150 matches.
She has taken control of no less than four Grand Finals in the past seven years. The consistency of her performances and her professionalism has been a real strength.
Discussing her Vitality Netball Superleague and International colleague, Louise Travis said: “She has been a fantastic ambassador for our sport and will be greatly missed by all involved in the game.
“Jackie has been an outstanding example to others in the league, not solely focusing on her own performance but also dedicating a huge amount of time to the development of others both in the VNSL pool and also to those umpiring at grassroots level.”
Looking at Mizon’s contribution, Vitality Netball Superleague and International Umpire Coach Cheryl Danson OBE said: “Dedicated, professional, hardworking and a role model are the essence of Jackie Mizon.
“Jackie sets herself incredibly high standards and she continually strives to review and reflect in order to improve her own umpiring performance.
“I have had the pleasure to assess Jackie as an umpire and she is a joy to work alongside.
“She has continually demonstrated her own ability as well as helping her co-umpires to develop their skills.
“She has been a great ambassador for officiating and for her country in her appointments at international level.
“I hope that Jackie will continue to contribute in other roles to officiating so that we can all benefit from her experience, knowledge and expertise.”
Whilst focusing on her own umpiring, Jackie has remained heavily involved in netball in Hertfordshire and the East Region.
She is a current Officiating Assessor and supports and nurtures the development of grassroots umpires and those at elite development level.
Mentoring at all levels of umpiring is something she is passionate about and said: “I have learnt so much as an umpire and love to observe and share my knowledge to enable others on their journey to achieving their goals.
“The smallest piece of information shared can sometimes have the biggest impact on an umpire and it is rewarding to watch the results unfold.”
Gary Burgess, England Netball Head of Officiating, said: “From a professional view point, Jackie has contributed so much to the development of officiating in this country.
“Be it her buddying of junior Vitality Netball Superleague umpires, her systematic approach to post-match analysis or the contributions she has made in the development of the pathway, Jackie has been integral in bringing officiating in England forward.
“As a co-umpire she is everything in umpiring that I am not! Understated, philosophical and methodical. Her ponytail game is far better than mine too!
“I have had the pleasure of umpiring with Jackie for nearly a decade both domestically and internationally, in many different places all over the world.
“She is a great travelling companion, a co-umpire who I can trust implicitly and share a knowing glance with across the court.
“It is sometimes almost telepathic the way we umpire together. I will miss our on court chemistry but know our friendship will remain.”
Jackie will now take a well-earned rest from officiating and enjoy spending a lot more time with her family and especially her new granddaughter.
She said: “I am very excited to embrace some quality family time and enjoy every minute of being a grandparent.
“I will miss everything about being and umpire but I will always be involved in the sport that is interwoven in the very fabric of my life and know new challenges and adventures are out there.”
From everyone at England Netball, Jackie – thank you so much for your contribution to our fantastic sport.
Why not revisit Jackie’s Officiating Story as she reflects on how she got into umpiring?
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