Annette Kingi ‘the epitome’ of a life member

Netball life member: Annette Kingi (right) is congratulated on her life membership of Gisborne Netball Centre by GNC officials co-ordinator Jules Hansen. Picture by Liam Clayton

NETBALL

HIGHLY respected kaumatua of umpiring for the Gisborne Netball Centre, Annette Kingi, has been made a life member of the centre.

She has been described as “the epitome” of someone receiving that award.

The award citation for Annette Kingi reads: “Her knowledge and commitment to this sport is evident in her qualifications and extensive list of GNC achievements and awards.”

Kingi has been umpiring netball in Gisborne for 28 years.

She received her Centre Badge in 1992, gained Centre Practical and Regional Theory in 1993, then gained her Regional Practical not long after. Kingi took the plunge to gain national levels, and passed her New Zealand Theory in 2010 and finally the coveted NZ Badge in 2012.

“This humble, dedicated legend works quietly in the background, umpire coaching and mentoring new and experienced umpires,” the citation reads.

Annette Kingi is qualified to assess umpires to Zone Badge level. She also tutors umpiring classes to help pathway umpires with study for the Zone and Netball NZ umpiring exams.

She was named Most Improved Junior Umpire in 1993, Umpire of the Year in 2003, Most Dedicated Umpire in 2004 and 2011, Umpire of the Year in 2012 and 2019, and Most Improved Senior Umpire in 2019.

In 2020 she received the Dedication to Netball Award.

Officials co-ordinator Jules Hansen said of Annette Kingi: “She’s the first one at the courts on a Saturday morning, and one of the last to leave, doing everything physically possible during that time.

“I feel blessed and thankful to have Annette leading my umpiring crew.”

Kingi said being made a life member of GNC was “quite a privilege”.

“But the real privilege for me is being part of the game because I have such a real passion for netball.

“I absolutely love it.

“That’s what keeps me going down to the courts year in, year out.

“I have no desire to retire at this stage.

“I want to keep going as long as I can, until my body says enough is enough.”

Annette Kingi was awarded life membership of the Gisborne Netball Centre at the annual general meeting, where Selina Sanders-Taylor and Kate Faulks were each recognised with a Service Award.

Sanders-Taylor received hers for commitment to umpiring since 2011.

She has trained as an umpire coach assessor, and gives time to mentoring, upskilling and assessing the next generation of umpires.

Faulks is described by centre manager Allisa Hall as “one of those special people in our sport who share their passion through as many aspects as they can”.

“She’s been part of the GNC board since 2012, an active umpire since 2010, and has coached both club and school-level teams.”