Netball Samoa continues to invest in the development of our officiating community, recognising that strong umpiring is essential to the integrity, professionalism, and growth of our sport. This year marks a major milestone in our journey: the successful accreditation of five additional Samoan umpires, each demonstrating exceptional commitment and skill.

We proudly acknowledge the following officials:

B Badge Umpires:

Temple Leaupepetele

Akira Lima

Jordan Lameta

C Badge Umpires:

Fa’aiva Tolupeni

Charlie Betham

These achievements are part of a broader effort by Netball Samoa to build a clear and sustainable pathway for umpire development — one that nurtures talent from grassroots to elite levels, and ensures our officials are equipped to lead with confidence both locally and internationally.

This progress has been made possible through the generous support of the Australian Government Netball Australia and the ODA Program through DFAT, whose partnership continues to uplift officiating standards across the Pacific. Their investment in training, assessment, and mentorship has laid the foundation for long-term capacity building.

As part of this regional collaboration, Netball Samoa also welcomed Lyttiah Rabitu Netball Fiji and Uinita Tauhalaliku Tonga Netball to assist in officiating the 2025 Saints Super Netball Tournament. Their presence brought added depth and experience to the tournament, while also providing mentorship and live assessment opportunities for our emerging officials.

The Saints Super 4 Netball has become a powerful platform for showcasing talent, testing officiating standards, and celebrating the unity of our netball community. With support from senior facilitators and assessors from Netball Australia, this year’s tournament also served as a formal accreditation space for B and C Badge candidates — ensuring our umpires are not only trained but recognised.

The official badging ceremony was a proud moment for Netball Samoa, attended by Vice President Siosina Lui and CEO Justine Wilson-Ata Samu, who acknowledged the significance of this milestone not just for athletes, but for officials as well. As Justine shared:

“When we speak of bridging the gap, it’s not just for our athletes — but also our officials.”

Thanks to this program, Samoa successfully badged two C Badge umpires and three B Badge umpires, while also extending opportunities to B Badge umpires from Tonga Netball and Netball Fiji, who were invited to participate in professional coaching and international development pathways. This regional inclusion reflects Netball Samoa’s commitment to uplifting Pacific officiating as a whole.

Samoa now proudly holds the highest number of B Badge umpires in the Pacific — a testament to the dedication of clubs like SCOPA Netball Clubl, who have long fostered umpire development. In fact, Tim Marshall (IUAA) noted that several of these umpires had clearly been officiating at B Badge level for some time, making their accreditation long overdue.

Identifying talent and providing access to formal recognition is essential. As Justine emphasised, competent umpires are crucial for the growth of netball in Samoa, and through this initiative, Netball Samoa has also been able to support the St Mary’s Super Netball Tournament with accredited Pacific officials — solidifying our partnership and celebrating the strength of regional collaboration.

Looking ahead, Jordan Lameta, our Workforce Development Coordinator, is actively working with the next cohort of umpires — including A Grade athletes from United Soulz Club and Marist Samoa Netball. Building confidence among young girls to step into officiating roles is next on the agenda.

“Watch this space,” Justine adds, with pride and anticipation.

Netball Samoa remains committed to nurturing confident, qualified officials who lead with fairness, clarity, and pride. As we look ahead, we do so with renewed energy and gratitude for the partnerships that continue to uplift our sport.

Together, we are building a future where netball in Samoa is not only played with passion — but officiated with excellence.