Greenwell Point's Helen George is no different.

But instead of pulling on the green and gold of her country, she has just returned from representing Australia as an umpire at the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool.

The journey for George, now 41, started 30 years ago, when she first started playing netball in Sydney, before taking up umpiring a year later - a decision she has never looked back on.

"I really enjoyed umpiring - it was always a challenge and I had some great support from many volunteers who love the sport of netball," George said.

"There are so many people in netball who have volunteered their time to get me to where I am today.

"I soon realised I wasn't going to be a Diamond and gave up playing so I could further my umpiring experiences.

"I travelled across Sydney to umpire a competition between associations and continued up the ranks to umpire State League at the Anne Clark Centre in Auburn.

"From there, other opportunities arose to work my way through the national umpiring pathway."

Since then, apart from a one-year hiatus, umpiring has been a large part of George's life.

"Being able to contribute to the game and let the players showcase their skills within the scope of the rules is really satisfying," she said.

"It is addictive and from game-to-game, there is always something that I'm trying to improve with my performance.

"There are also some incredible people involved in netball and I've made life long friends from being involved in the sport as an umpire."

Although she moved to the South Coast with her husband Rob and three kids Max (nine), Zoe (four) and Mackenzie (20 months) in 2014, George hasn't let that stop her career trajectory.

She umpired at last year's Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast, as well as at two World Youth Championships and various Test series.

Closer to home, she has officiated in the ANZ Championships and is currently an umpire of the Suncorp Super Netball - where she brought up her 100th domestic cap last season.

All of these paved the way for her to be invited to umpire at Liverpool for the 15th Netball World Cup, from July 12-21.

"To be part of the World Cup, those umpires with their International Umpiring Award are selected from their region to participate," she said.

"There are 17 umpires selected from all different parts of the world.

"There were four Australian umpires at this year's World Cup and I was fortunate to be one of those umpires selected."

In preparation for one of her biggest tournaments to date, George undertook rigorous training.

"Unlike Suncorp Super Netball where I umpire one game per week, the World Cup is a tournament of 10 days," she said.

"Getting the body in condition to run day in, day out, over 10 days was the goal.

"Lots of strength and conditioning, cardio fitness and recovery were involved to get me ready for the tournament."

While in Liverpool, George had the honour of umpiring eight games.

They included; South Africa vs Trinidad and Tobago, England vs Scotland, Northern Ireland vs Zimbabwe, Fiji vs Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago vs England, Trinidad and Tobago vs Scotland, Zimbabwe vs Jamaica and Zimbabwe vs Uganda.

"I loved all my games at the World Cup but if I had to pick, my favourite game was Northern Ireland vs Zimbabwe," she said.

"It was Zimbabwe's first World Cup and they quickly became a crowd favourite.

"The support was incredible and the noise in the stadium for that game was mind-blowing.

"Zimbabwe won that game by one goal and I when I came off the court my ears were ringing.

"As a whole, I'm happy with what I put out on court at Liverpool.

"I always aim to umpire to the best of my ability in every game and ensure there is a fair contest - I think I achieved that."

As much as George, who owns the Greenwell Point Anchor Bay Motel with her husband Rob, loved her time on the court, she also made plenty of memories off it.

"Over the years I've formed many friendships worldwide," she said.

"I always enjoy catching up with friends from all over the globe and of course the netball is great.

"There are different styles of netball played all over the world and at a tournament like this, you get to experience those styles and apply and refine your umpiring techniques to their game style."

Upon arriving home and having time to reflect, George ranks this tournament as one of her best to date.

"I have a lot of career highlights," she said.

"Umpiring at last year's Commonwealth Games and this World Cup are definitely two of those.

"We are fortunate in Australia to have the best netball league in the world and I'm very fortunate to be able to umpire some of the best players in the world week in, week out."

In saying that, George will be back out on the Suncorp Super Netball court in no time.

"After having a week off with my family, I'm returning tot he domestic scene this Sunday in Canberra, to umpire the GWS Giants and Queensland Firebirds match," she said.

"In terms of the future, I've now ticked off two of my big goals - Commonwealth Games and World Cup - over the past two years.

"After this season is done and I have a chance to rest, I'll go about setting some more goals."