Umpires selected to officiate Vitality Netball Superleague Finals Weekend

The six umpires chosen to officiate the 2021 Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) Finals Weekend have been selected by the Umpire Appointments Panel.

Gary Burgess, Louise Cole, Alison Harrison, Kate Mann, Kate Stephenson and Louise Travis have all been appointed to take charge of the biggest four games of the Superleague season.

Umpires are assessed throughout the season on every match and the top six ranked umpires are then appointed to the semi-finals following the conclusion of the regular season.

The selections for the Grand Final and the third-place play-off will be based on the umpires’ performances from the semi-finals with the news of the appointments shared on Saturday evening.

Alison Harrison and Kate Stephenson will oversee the first semi-final between Loughborough Lightning and Leeds Rhinos Netball at 14.00 on Saturday 26 June with Louise Cole as the reserve umpire.

Gary Burgess and 2021 Umpire of the Season Louise Travis will take charge of Manchester Thunder’s semi-final clash with Team Bath Netball at 16.00 on Saturday 26 June with Kate Mann as the reserve umpire.

In 2019, Burgess and the now retired Jackie Mizon officiated the Grand Final between champions Thunder and Wasps at the Copper Box Arena.