NETBALL fanatic Naomi Hindmarch could soon be calling the shots as an umpire - at the age of 12!

The Bournemouth youngster has been accepted on to the Talented Youth Umpiring Programme (TYUP) and has recently passed her England Netball beginners' award for officiating.

All of which means she could, if successful, be blowing her whistle at the likes of Dorset-based TeamBath stars Geva Mentor and Gemma Fletcher by the time she reaches the age of 18.

As part of the two-year TYUP course, Naomi will aim to pass her England Netball C award, followed by the B and A awards further down the line. The A award will enable her to officiate at international level.

And the talented youngster is not the only Hindmarch involved in netball umpiring - mum Nicki is qualified to A level.

Nicki said: "Naomi wants to get her A award, which is the same one I've got, but it's difficult at her age because people don't generally go into umpiring until later in life.

"But I'm very proud of what she's achieved."

For more information on netball umpiring, contact Nicki Hindmarch by emailing nhindmarch@activedorset.org.