It has been a long journey for Johnston who has umpired GIG WANL since 2014.
Johnston said the milestone has come as a surprise but is special to her.
“I’d describe the feeling of reaching the milestone as elation,” she said.
“I'm really proud of my resilience and my commitment to doing something that I love.”
Johnston said umpiring was not the career she originally envisioned but her love for the Netball community kept her involved in the sport.
“Umpiring wasn't my first love, it was playing netball,” she said.
“I fell into umpiring in 2013 because I tore my ACL and wanted to stay connected to the game that I loved. So I thought I'd pick up a whistle and I'd still be involved with Netball in some capacity.
“I've made so many great friends along the way purely because of umpiring Netball.”
Johnston’s umpiring prowess has been recognised in GIG WANL and around Netball WA.
She has been called upon to officiate big games including a remarkable nine consecutive GIG WANL Grand Finals.
Johnston said she relishes the opportunity to officiate important games.
“I really pride myself in that achievement to have been entrusted with our pinnacle State competition,” she said.
“It's all really exciting because for the players this is what they've worked so hard for all season and it's do or die for them, there's only one winner.
“For me, it's just making sure that we give them the best landscape to have success.”
In 2020, Johnston umpired the preseason game between the West Coast Fever and WA All-Stars mixed team.
She said the experience was the highlight of her career and the roar of the 4,200 strong crowd at RAC Arena was like nothing she’d ever experienced.
“I have never umpired in front of a crowd like that and all I kept saying to myself is to just be calm, be cool and at the end of the day, it's a game of Netball,” she said.
In 2022 Johnston’s outstanding umpiring efforts were rewarded winning the GIG WANL Umpire of the Year for the second time.
Her value on the side of the court has been recognised by Netball WA as she was called up to umpire in the 2022 National Netball Championships in Hobart.
When reflecting on her career, Johnston wants to make sure she leaves an impact on the culture of Netball community.
“I want to leave umpiring in a better place than when I started and make sure that those who are coming through and developing are doing so in a really supported and nurturing framework.”
“I had a number of different mentors that were heavily involved in Netball who were legends of umpiring at that stage, that's how it all started for me.
“I really enjoy being able to take my experiences and go around the WA metro area and regionally to pass on those experiences from umpiring to other umpiring communities around the State.”
Her biggest advice for young umpires coming through the ranks would be to be confident in themself and learn to know where to take feedback from.
“Comparison is the thief of joy and as an umpire you're part of the greater umpiring team,” she said.
“You should never compare yourself to another umpire because it's completely out of your control.
“In terms of when you're receiving feedback, you're going to get wide and varied feedback. Some that you resonate with and others that don't make sense at all. You should only listen to the voices that matter and as you go through your journey that becomes a lot clearer.”
If you are interested in umpiring Netball, please check out our Umpiring and Officiating Page
Article By Oliver Lane
