If national awards were all about ‘facts’, then Wendy Suttie would have the umpiring gravitas to be the Bowls New Zealand Umpire of the Year.

For starters, there’s fact No.1 : Wendy was the Chief Technical Official at one of New Zealand’s largest bowling tournaments this last season … the Summerset National Singles and Pairs Open Championships last January in Christchurch.

Then there’s fact no. 2 : Wendy was an International Technical Official at the Trans-Tasman last February.

Then there’s fact no. 3 : Wendy has been appointed a National Umpire Examiner, one of a few of New Zealand’s senior umpires to be charged with that responsibility.

But awards aren’t just about ‘facts’.

They’re about more,  And it’s Wendy’s other attributes that have made her a lay down misère for the Bowls New Zealand Umpire of the Year in 2024.

‘What’s so wonderful about Wendy,” says Canterbury Centre General Manager, Lorraine McLeod.  “Is that she’s such a positive person … she’s always very, very happy to umpire … and always willing to help in whatever way she can.”

“She’s very much a ‘go-to’ person … you know that more than likely she’ll say ‘yes’.”

That’s quite remarkable because Wendy has a better excuse than many to say ‘no’.  She and her husband Raymond live in Ashburton.  So it’s not as if she can easily pop up the road to umpire an event in Christchurch.  Or stay overnight if it’s a two-day event.

“She’s a joy on the green,” adds Lorraine.  “She talks to and mixes with all the players … and doesn’t just appear out of the blue when she’s required to make a ruling.  She’s there all the time.  And as a result, gives players a very positive and appreciative impression of umpires and umpiring.”

Michael Johnson, Chair of the National Umpire’s Committee, agrees.

“She’s had an astounding several years, umpiring at the highest level in New Zealand.  What’s made that easy is that she’s willing to travel anywhere in New Zealand .. she’s not just active in her Canterbury Centre.  And much of that travel is at her own cost.”

And Michael’s loading Wendy up with more.

“Because of the upsurge in the numbers wanting to become qualified umpires, we’re trying something different this year, and have set up a team of National Umpire Examiners.  Wendy is one of them.”  (As is Sue Rossiter, Joan Wilson and Ann Wright.)

“They’ll be examining umpires who are seeking Level 1 and Level 2 accreditation.  That’s on top of her other umpiring commitments, which this year include the World Champion of Champions in Auckland in November.”

Despite her willingness to say ‘yes to requests for umpiring help from any quarter, Wendy still has time to umpire and play at her home club, Hampstead Bowling Club in Ashburton.

That’s why Wendy is so popular.

She’s the way we like our Kiwis … successful on the New Zealand and world front ... but still modest and humble enough to remember and appreciate their roots and mix with ordinary Kiwis back in her home patch.

“In some ways,” adds Lorraine, “Wendy is what we expect our umpires to be : particular, attentive to detail, and with a burning desire to make sure they get things right.”

“But in other ways she’s quite different than the stereotypical view we have of umpires being perhaps a little quiet and serious.  She’s cheery and engaging to be around.  She’s rewritten the book on the way umpires behave.”

And that could well be the award-clincher ,,, that gregariousness must surely the most powerful weapon Wendy has in her umpiring arsenal.

Congratulations on being Umpire of the Year, Wendy.  We love your work.