Ex AFL field umpire Gary Fila has been appointed as the next AFL umpires coach in Queensland replacing Cameron Nash who was appointed as the new AFL Victoria umpires’ manager in December.
Gary umpired 48 games in two stints on the AFL panel between 2007 and 2013. It was Gary’s intention to go back to the SANFL this season and push on towards umpiring 200 SANFL games. However, when this job was advertised he felt the time was right to make the change into coaching. He worked on a voluntary basis last season assisting the SANFL umpiring department in recruitment campaigns especially in schools.
While he has not coached before, Gary believes his management skills from his working life and mentoring young up and coming umpires in SA stands him in good stead. He certainly will be an active participant in training and skill drills because he was still out on the track at SA umpire training until last night.
Gary starts next Monday. We wish him well in his new pursuit.
