We have to spare a thought for the players and umpires in Saturday’s clash on the Gold Coast. Strong storms lashed the whole eastern seaboard of Australia and dumped 278mm of rain on the Gold Coast mostly during the game. Only just over 4,000 spectators braved the conditions to watch the game. Veteran boundary umpire, Aaron Deckys cannot remember experiencing conditions like it before, “and I’ve been around for close to 20 years!”
To say Sally Boud’s life has changed in the last six months would be a massive understatement.
A well-known quote ‘You get what you work for, not what you wish for’ is a great way to introduce newly promoted AFL boundary umpire Ryan Kukura who was awarded Heritage Number 567 when he umpired his first AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and Richmond on 15 April 2016.
Family tradition often dictates what walk of life a youngster follows. So spare a thought for Josh Mather because umpiring was in his blood before he could walk. He had no options but to follow in his grand father’s footsteps, AFLUA life member, George and those of his father, Mark. “Dad umpired four or five Western Region Division One grand finals as a field umpire,” laughed Josh today when we spoke about his footy background. “I played junior footy on a Sunday and ran a reserves game on one side of the boundary with my brother, Tim on a Saturday. I started umpiring when I was 11 years old, it was in the family.”
Congratulations to boundary umpire, Josh Mather who umpired his 50th AFL match in the Dreamtime at the ‘G game on Saturday night. Josh, who comes from a strong umpiring and athletics background, has clocked up his games in his third year on the list.
Michael, or Leo, as he was commonly known passed away after a brief illness on Saturday May 21. He was buried on Thursday 26 May. Leo’s wife Margaret, told us of Leo’s love and passion for umpiring and of football that he shared with his grand children up until his passing.
The first of our state games is played this weekend, when rivals SA come up against the Vic’s in Adelaide. Tune in to Channel 7’s telecast to see a good rivalry play out with some of the best young umpires also representing their states.
Some individuals make a meteoric rise in their chosen profession or interest area, the AFL’s newest boundary umpire Peter Bock is one of those.
It is not very often that a twenty year old is appointed to umpire an AFL game but Josh Garrett did just that, following in his dad’s footsteps, to officiate the West Coast vs Brisbane game on 27 March.