News

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.

Grand final goal umpire Adam Wojcik and his family presented a cheque for $6,000 to the annual Royal Children’s Hospital appeal on behalf of the AFLUA.

Congratulations to our three debutants in round one over the Easter weekend.  Dreams do come true for the three boundary umpires who have worked very hard for many years to enjoy this one moment.

The 2016 version of the Fiona McBurney Match Day Experience was launched at Ikon park last night in front of the Melbourne based AFL umpires.

Fifteen year old Hannah McLaren is keen to follow in her father’s footsteps in the first AFL Victoria metropolitan all-female school based Umpiring Academy.

AFL UMPIRE Dean Margetts is recovering in an Adelaide hospital after a medical emergency forced his flight to make an unscheduled landing. 

Nathan Williamson is a young West Australian field umpire with about 60 games of senior experience under his belt.  So you can imagine his shock on a Monday morning three weeks ago when AFL umpires’ coach, Hayden Kennedy called to tell him that he would be umpiring his first NAB Challenge game in a few days.  “I was more nervous after Hayden called me than I was on game day,” reflected Nathan when we asked him about his experience.

Angus McKenzie-Wills is one of four new AFL goal umpires joining the AFL ranks in 2016, having originally started as a field umpire in 2006, before switching to the twin flags in 2009. Having been part of the inaugural NEAFL goal umpires’ list in 2011, Angus has officiated in 96 NEAFL games, including 10 finals whilst also participating in the Under 16 Nationals in 2010 and the Under 18 Nationals in 2012 and 2015.

Eleni Glouftsis is different, but she wants to be dealt with the same as everyone else.