Netball: Umpire's hilarious in-game nosedive goes viral

The netball Umpire tripped over his feet during a university game. Photo / Twitter

Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua may need to offer some footwork coaching to this umpire ahead of the World Cup.

International netball umpire Gary Burgess was umpiring a Loughborough University game in the UK when had an embarrassing fall.

Tripping over his own feet and nose diving into the court, the 2011 and 2015 finals World Cup umpire, slid along the sideline during the game.

Sorry @GaryBurgessIUA, I couldn't resist! #GoingGoingGone pic.twitter.com/sqwLJxOc3F

— Dr. Andrew Butterworth (@ADButterworth) February 3, 2019

Quickly scrambling back to his feet before any of the players noticed, Burgess carried on as usual.

But the camera didn't miss it.

A video of the incident edited to British band Chumbawamba's iconic Tubthumping has since gone viral on social media, racking up more than 3k views in less than a day.

"Yellow card for diving. Blatant "simulation" No opposition player anywhere near and there really is no place for it in the game," a Twitter user joked.

"But you kept your vision, never took your eyes off the game!! Only a true professional could do that," said another.

"Nope, I definitely didn't see any contact before the incident. Play on."

But you kept your vision, never took your eyes off the game!! Only a true professional could do that.

— ONDB (@OxNDB) February 3, 2019

But you kept your vision, never took your eyes off the game!! Only a true professional could do that.

— ONDB (@OxNDB) February 3, 2019

After joking about whether he could blame his footwear for the clumsy slide, Burgess shared the video on his page with the caption: "He who can laugh at himself shall be entertained and smiling all day. I didn't realise just how long [Sara Bayman] legs actually were!!!"

He who can laugh at himself shall be entertained and smiling all day.

I didn’t realise just how long @runlikeforrest legs actually were!!!#bruisedegoandbackside #bothlarge pic.twitter.com/LI1lyWGKO2

— Gary Burgess ⒾⓊⒶ (@GaryBurgessIUA) February 3, 2019