Behind the Whistle: Lyndsay King’s Journey Through Netball
2nd November 2026
From starting a club in Helensburgh to umpiring around the world, Lyndsay King reflects on the friendships, challenges and opportunities that have shaped her journey in netball.
Every netball umpire has a story, and for Lyndsay King, it all began with a determination to get her local team onto the court.
Having established a netball club in her hometown of Helensburgh, Lyndsay discovered that entering the Glasgow League required the club to have an umpire. Rather than let that stand in the way, she took matters into her own hands.
“I was so keen to play that I signed myself up!”
What started as a practical solution soon developed into a passion that would take Lyndsay around the world, introduce her to lifelong friends and provide valuable lessons extending well beyond the netball court.
A Different Perspective on the Game
For Lyndsay, umpiring is about much more than making decisions during a match. It is an opportunity to challenge herself, continue learning and develop with every performance.
“Umpiring is so challenging both mentally and physically. I love learning, reflecting and trying to improve in each match. I can only do this with the support of my co-umpires – the friendship through umpiring is something very special.”
Her approach is built around the understanding that mistakes are part of the learning process and that constructive feedback is essential to improvement.
“I think you need to be prepared to accept that you will make mistakes – we are human and this is how we learn and develop. You need to be able to accept feedback – it isn’t there to put you off, it’s there to help you get even better.”
Opportunities Around the World
Umpiring has opened doors for Lyndsay to experience netball in different countries and environments, with a trip to Australia in 2014 leaving a particularly lasting impression.
The experience offered an insight into the scale of the sport and the professional approach to umpiring overseas.
“It opened my eyes to how massive netball is and what Scotland could do. I learned so much about contact, contest, personal development and how professional and respected their umpiring structure was.”
Lyndsay returned home with fresh motivation to contribute to umpiring development in Scotland.
Not every overseas experience has been quite so conventional, however. A memorable trip to Sweden with the Glasgow District included an exhibition match in the middle of an outdoor shopping centre.
“People were walking all over the court. A great trip with a great squad!”
A Personal Milestone
Despite the international travel and competition opportunities, Lyndsay identifies a much more personal achievement as her proudest moment.
Following the birth of her son in 2023, returning to performance umpiring brought new challenges and required a different approach to balancing family life with her sporting ambitions.
“I’ve been so lucky getting to travel worldwide for competitions, but my highlight has to be my own journey returning to performance umpiring after the birth of my son in 2023.”
That experience has also influenced how Lyndsay approaches her future goals.
She continues to aspire towards achieving her International Umpire Award (IUA), while recognising that her priorities and circumstances have changed.
“I have accepted that my life is different now and that was a hard lesson to learn, but I balance the life logistics and I try to improve my scores each season and have a lot of fun doing it.”
Lessons Beyond the Court
The confidence, communication and leadership skills Lyndsay has developed through umpiring have also played an important role in her professional life.
From making decisions under pressure to accepting feedback and supporting others, she sees clear connections between the challenges of umpiring and those of the workplace.
“Learning how to communicate purposefully, respecting everyone’s views within the rules or guidance and learning how to move on from mistakes or how I can do things differently.”
She credits these experiences with helping her grow professionally and develop her ability to lead and motivate her team.
Friendship, Community and a Greggs Stop
While the challenges and achievements are important, it is the people who make umpiring particularly rewarding for Lyndsay.
From sharing advice and discussing match scenarios to watching fellow officials develop and progress, the sense of community remains one of her favourite parts of the sport.
And, of course, there are the road trips.
“The friendship, the banter, chats on scenarios and what would you do, road trips especially with a Greggs, seeing umpires develop and reach their potential, the excitement of an email inviting you to a competition!”
For anyone considering taking up umpiring, Lyndsay’s message is refreshingly simple.
“What’s holding you back?”
“There is such a supportive environment between umpires at all grades. Umpiring makes you see the game from a different perspective that makes you appreciate just how challenging and exciting netball is.”
Lyndsay’s journey is a reminder that becoming an umpire can offer far more than a new role in the sport. It can bring friendships, opportunities, confidence and a genuine sense of achievement, whatever level you aspire to reach.
Interested in becoming a netball umpire? Explore umpiring opportunities and development pathways through Netball Scotland.
