Continuing Umpire Appreciation week, we chatted Tanaya Pitt, who started her umpiring journey in the south of Tasmania. She now regularly umpires across the state and continues to develop her skills.
What made you want to go through the journey to become an umpire?
My journey to umpiring started when I accompanied my family to STNA each week while myself, my cousin & older sister played. My Aunty was an umpire and regularly umpired the winter roster, while I sat on the sidelines and watched most weeks. My Aunty encouraged me to pick up a whistle and helped me week in and week out to gain basic rule knowledge, signals and terminology to apply to the game. I was 14 years old in my first year of umpiring in 2017, and was included in the Junior Umpire Development Program in 2018. Since then, I have received constant ongoing support to further improve my umpiring and to achieve new milestones
Why do you love being an umpire?
I love being an umpire because of the physical and mental challenges that it brings. There are many things that an umpire must take into consideration while umpiring any game. While it is not just about making the right calls, but it is also about managing the game flow and the emotions involved, which is then all about applying strong communication and staying calm under pressure and in high intensity situations. I have been taught many lessons from umpiring and it is a rewarding role that is always pushing me to strive and do my best. I am appreciative of the opportunities that I have been given as an umpire thus far.
What is your favourite part?
My favourite part without a doubt is the friendships and connections that I have formed with other umpires and meeting new people. The umpiring support that is received at my association is second to none and there are many people that have contributed to me being the umpire I am today. I coach other umpires regularly and it is a great opportunity to provide insight to other umpires developing and finding their way too.
What is something players/spectators might not know?
Something that players/spectators may not know is that if time is held in any third (for example, a WA has the ball in the centre third while time is held) that player can put the ball down and another team player that is allowed in that third can take the ball where the player was standing when time was held.
A player may also go offside to retrieve the ball to set a sanction or action.
What is the hardest part?
The hardest part of umpiring is how demanding and strenuous it can be. Umpiring requires a great deal of resilience and perseverance, and having full focus for the length of the game can prove quite difficult at times. The effects of knowing that you are not umpiring your best game can be tough as an umpire too, especially when you are umpiring at the highest level and know what is expected of you. One of an umpires greatest attributes in my opinion is being able to recognise what needs improving and acknowledging decisions throughout the game that may not have been the right ones and learning from them.
