S02E30 Blowing the Whistle: Gina Pearce on the Art of Officiating

Carla is joined by guest co-host Coached by Leanne for an insightful episode with experienced umpire Gina Pearce, exploring the often-overlooked world of netball officiating. From building confidence with the whistle to managing pressure, communicating with players and making split-second decisions, Gina shares what it really takes to officiate at a high level.Whether you're an aspiring umpire, coach, player or simply want a better understanding of the rules, this episode offers plenty of practical advice and fascinating stories from life on court. It's a brilliant reminder that while players may grab the headlines, none of the game happens without the officials - and yes, they occasionally hear every opinion from the sidelines!Thanks to our partner Akuma Sports - For top quality custom kit produced in the UK, visit: https://www.akumasports.com/sports/netball/Please follow or subscribe so you don't miss out on any new content. Whether you’re a player, coach, or fan, you won’t want to miss an episode!The opinions and suggestions in this podcast are intended for entertainment only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions — we just provide the laughs. Let's Connect 🗣️Want to be included in a future episode? Please reach out and share anything Netball (or life) related. Instagram @thebestnetballpodcasteverTikTok @thebestnetballpodcastGood ol' Email: thebestnetballpodcastever@gmail.com YOUR HOSTSKrystine Strama aka Kris / princess Netball-obsessed, I’ve been hitting the court for over 15 years — and I’ve just celebrated the big 5-0. By day, I’m an HR Manager; by night, I’m a netball playing fine-dining enthusiast and self-proclaimed connoisseur of wine. One day, you’ll see me living my other dream: starring in a soap opera.Carla GareyA self-confessed netball addict, I’ve been playing for nearly 14 years and basically live and breathe the sport (my husband insists on calling it “a hobby,” but we all know better 😆).When I’m not on court, I’m running multiple businesses, wrangling my five kids, and squeezing 20 tasks into every day. I work at 100 miles an hour and get more done before lunch than most people manage all week — fuelled entirely by Diet Coke and donuts.