Timing right for Zac
HIS Commonwealth Games dream has been fulfilled but the netball journey of Robina’s Zac Dawes is far from over.
Fresh off an “amazing” experience as a timekeeper for the Games netball competition, Dawes has been chosen as a Suncorp Super Netball bench manager, overseeing scoring and timekeeping for a handful of fixtures during the 14-round season.
The 23-year-old, who officiated in last season’s Super Netball, had originally hoped to reach the Games as an umpire but was forced to change trajectory five years ago.
“I started as an umpire about 11 years ago. I thought I was going to get (to the Games) as an umpire but I realised that wasn’t going to happen so I thought ‘what’s another way of getting on to courtside for the Commonwealth Games?’,” Dawes, who umpires and plays at Southport Carrara Netball Association, said.
“From there I contacted Netball Queensland (about being an official) and did an online course developed by Netball Australia. From there I just practised on games and developed my skills.
“Until now my main goal was to get to the Comm Games but now that’s been achieved it’s a process of trying to develop the (Super Netball) bench officials to make them as best as they can be.”
While Australia has no shortage of officials, Dawes has not given up on a return to the international stage.
“In international games, each host country is to supply their own bench officials but if it is in the less developed countries there are opportunities … to get selected to go over and be part of those games,” the 2017 Netball Queensland Official of the Year said.
“The Games was the best experience I’ve ever had. I’m just so grateful for being able to do it. (Super Netball) is a great opportunity to be able to develop our skills and be the best I can be.”