News

Part of my work experience tasks was to write an article on AFL umpires.  So I went along to training on the 5th of April 2016. The umpires train at Ikon Park in Carlton. 

Goal umpire, Matt Dervan became the 341st goal umpire to officiate in a VFL/AFL game when he took to the field in the Essendon v Melbourne match at the MCG.  Matt’s parents were in the crowd to witness his AFL debut as was his VAFA mentor and ex AFL goal umpire, Clayton Evans.  There was a large contingent of goal umpires who arrived at the G to support a very nervous, yet excited Matt.  When we caught up with Matt today he described his experience as “awesome.”

AFLUA life member, Greg Sidebottom tragically passed away on Saturday, doing what he did best, umpiring football.  Greg collapsed during the last quarter of a game in Ardmona and could not be revived.

Giving oneself a kick up the backside for not achieving a fitness test without blaming others or looking for excuses is often the difference between success and failure in elite sports, be it officiating or actually playing the game. A decision to get his fitness up to the required levels has been the big difference in Alistair’s success which now finds him on the AFL Goal Umpires list for season 2016.

Leaving your comfort zone is often a challenge for many, whether it be work, education or even sport.

Gareth is proof that when you put you mind to something, you can make it happen. A State League hockey player, he finally took up his Dad’s repeated invitations to try boundary umpiring in 2012 and was promoted to the AFL list just four years later.

Three debutants all said the same thing when asked to describe their first games, “awesome.”

AFL UMPIRES boss Wayne Campbell has quit League HQ and will head north to head up football operations for Greater Western Sydney.

At the end of 2009, Chris’ coaches sat him down for a chat about his career.  He had just umpired his third SANFL senior grand final on the back of an under 17 and two SANFL reserve grade grand finals.  He was not expecting the outcome, “We see you as a solid SANFL umpire but not one destined for the AFL.”  While his dream from the age of 13 was to umpire AFL footy, he loved umpiring and footy, so like many others who have been given that news, he walked away still wanting to umpire and be the best he could be.