The Jeparit-Rainbow Football and Netball Club netball umpire co-ordinator has dedicated time and effort into helping games run as smoothly as possible. 

Thomas was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer at the end of the 2015 season.

After an absence during 2016, she has returned as lively and invigorated as ever – and with the all clear. 

“I’m in the clear at present and just have to have quarterly checks,” she said. 

“I had a lot of community support from the area. I moved in with my sister and everyone helped get my kids to matches and training.” 

Thomas officiates as much as possible but her main aim is to help young umpires get their accreditation. 

“I’ve taken on a big squad this year with six accredited, C-badge umpires,” she said, 

The C-badge is the first step in the netball umpire pathway. 

“Myself and Jacinta Cox have been testers for the league this year,” Thomas said. 

Thomas started testing prior to being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Umpires must hold a badge for several years before they can become a tester.

“I was approved to be a tester and I have done a lot this year,” she said. 

“It has been rewarding to get girls across the line. To get your C-badge it takes a few hours of practical umpiring and then a theory quiz.” 

Thomas grew up at Leongatha. 

There were two prominent umpires in that area who were instrumental in helping Thomas pick up the whistle. 

Pat Kuhne was Thomas’ mentor at the time and taught her all there was to know about officiating. 

“In 2015 I went home and had the chance to umpire with Pat again. It was very rewarding having the chance to umpire with someone like that,” Thomas said. 

Thomas is the go-to woman at Jeparit-Rainbow for all things netball umpiring.

She organises the umpires and helps set up and pack up the courts each game day. 

“We utilise the Rainbow scout hall for the umpires and I make sure they are right to use,” she said. 

Thomas has also coached C Grade and 13 and under teams along with creating umpire rosters and general umpire needs.  

Thomas wants to bring high-quality umpiring to every match. 

“It’s a bit of an old saying… On the sidelines you hear a lot of criticism towards the right and wrong calls. If you aren’t happy with the calls, there is one thing you can do to make it better – and that is to pick up the whistle yourself,” she said. 

Thomas said she was always happy to do what was best for the club. 

“(Jeparit-Rainbow) is very important,” she said. 

“(The season runs for) a huge amount of time – a good six months of the year. I don’t really know what else you would do in that time. The social interaction is great, you develop great friends throughout the year.” 

Thomas is glad she is part of the club. 

“This year they have a positive program called ‘Outside the Locker Room’ and it encourages players to speak up about mental health. That tells me the club values each club member individually,” she said. 

Thomas said it was rewarding being a volunteer and said that passion was shared with younger members – particularly children. 

“Kids on the court love seeing Mum and Dad help out and I love netball,” she said. 

Not only does she volunteer at Jeparit-Rainbow but at the recent Rainbow Enduro she volunteered as part of a community volunteer group. 

“I made a lot of pumpkin soup for the drivers and spectators. It’s only little but it helps,” she said.