RESPECTED community figure and well-known AFL Goulburn Murray umpire and AFL Umpires Association Life Member, Greg Sidebottom has been honoured for his contribution to Australian football, chosen as the namesake of one of AFL Victoria’s Umpire Coach of the Year Awards.
As part of our Stop Umpire Abuse Campaign, AFL Queensland Community Umpire Development Manager and former AFL Umpire, Nicholas Liparota, shares his thoughts on the role we all play in changing negative views around umpiring.
AFLUA Life Member Len Eddy passed away on Thursday 26 October aged 88.
The AFL umpiring department has commenced its task of list management for the 2018 season.
AFLUA Life member, Don Casey has just seen his 14 year, labour of love, come to fruition with the publication of his first book, “Blood in their Boots.” The name of the book was taken from the last line of the umpires theme song “……..and they will umpire with blood in their boots.”
It is my pleasure to introduce to you Walter Charles Hopkins OAM (Wally), aged 92 years and one of the oldest members of the AFLUA. Wally joined the VFL list back in 1948 after a recommendation from the Footscray and District Umpire’s Association. In 1948 you were expected to progress through the Reserve Grade but Wally jumped that list and was appointed to the senior list. After 10 years on our list Wally was awarded Life Membership of the VFLUA in 1958, retiring in 1963. Whilst on the list for 16 years Wally did extensive work with our Social Committee, which saw him awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1958.
With the 2017 AFL season now over, October is normally a time for umpires to rest their bodies after a long demanding season. Whilst most still undertake some sort of light cross training and gym programming, field umpires Ray Chamberlain and Chris Donlon are punishing themselves on the bike to prepare for the annual Razor Ride. This year, the Razor Ride covers 770km+ through Victoria’s most iconic cycling locations starting in Docklands on Monday 20th November. It may seem reasonable to think this will be done in a month. It will be ridden in just 6 days!!
Umpire Graham Carbery was the victim of one of football’s most notorious incidents, but away from the headlines he lived a quiet life documenting the history of Australia’s gay movements.
1959 VFL grand final umpire, Bill Barbour passed away yesterday after a brief illness. Bill was 93 years young!