Manly’s Jemma Cook makes inspirational return to court to eye off another Super Netball grand final

Manly’s Jemma Cook established herself as one of the top umpires in Super Netball before a year off with twins. Now she’s back on top of her game and eyeing off another prestigious grand final.

While the Sydney Swifts are flying the flag for NSW in the playing ranks, a leading Manly official is chasing the ultimate return to the top.

After taking a year off in 2024, Jemma Cook is eyeing a place on the umpiring team in next weekend’s Super Netball grand final.

Cook took some time away from the game last year after the birth of her twins. After featuring in the first week of the finals, she is hoping to return to the summit of her craft to cap a remarkable return.

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“It’s definitely fulfilling,” she said.

“It proves to myself that I can still do it. It doesn’t go without the support of family, particularly my husband. It’s an achievement for me personally.

“We have some up and coming female talent in the ranks. I hope it can give them some inspiration they can still umpire at this level with a family if they choose.”

Cook’s umpiring journey began over 20 years ago at a time when players were required to officiate younger age groups at the Manly Warringah Netball Association.

She’s thankful for that experience, and said it was crucial as part of player-umpire relations.

Super Netball umpire Jemma Cook. Picture: May Bailey/Clusterpix Photography

“When you were an under-12s player you were required to umpire more junior age groups,” she said.

“It was a way to give back. I started playing when I was seven or eight until I was an adult, but realised I wasn’t going to make the Diamonds.

“Being an umpire gave me an appreciation for what the players were trying to do on the court.

“I’m all for it. It helps create an environment that is less intimidating for kids to pick up a whistle. That can only help grow interest in umpiring.

“Without them, we don’t have a game.”

Cook made her first appearance at the elite level in 2011 when the Super Netball competition we know today was branded as the ANZ Championship.

She has since gone on to officiate in back-to-back grand finals in 2022 and 2023, while controlling some of the biggest names in the sport in the process.

“I was 20 when I first started in the top league. The game was in Brisbane and I had my mum and grandmother fly up, so I knew I had at least two people in the crowd going for me,” she said.

Jemma Cook was named sport official of the year in 2023. Picture: Supplied

“I came up through the ranks with Joshua Bowering and he was on the other side, so there was some comfort there.

“Romelda Aiken was playing for the Firebirds at the time. There were some big names and the crowd was huge.

“I remember looking up to Catherine Cox as a young player. To go from looking up to someone to umpiring them (is special).

“Some advice from Maureen Boyle when I was 14 umpiring adults was that they’re just 14 players on a court. That helped keep me grounded and not get too nervous.”

What’s next for Cook?

After officiating at the World Cup in 2023, a bucket list item would be to umpire at the Commonwealth Games next year.

Originally published as Manly’s Jemma Cook makes inspirational return to court to eye off another Super Netball grand final