“The only difference in my umpiring now compared to 20 years ago is that I can now run backwards as fast as I run forward,” exclaimed Terry as he walked onto a ground early one Saturday morning to umpire a Western Region Football League under 18 match with a young up and coming umpire who for all intent could’ve been his grandson.
My first night at training following my appointment as the State Manager of Umpiring in Queensland was quite a shock. During the warm ups guys were doing leapfrog down the centre of the oval, many in bare feet. Never in my time in footy had I ever seen anything like it. I wondered what the hell I had got myself into,” laughed Neville Nash as he began his reflection on 50 years of continuous involvement in football.
“I only wanted to umpire for one year to see if I liked it,” exclaimed Vic Parker who was celebrated by the Eastern Football League Umpires Association this year, marking his 60th year in footy.
Each year the AFL Premiership Players Club committee select 20 players/officials/umpires that have been associated with a grand final, to be inducted onto an Australian Post stamp.
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Craig Fleer was the only field umpire added to the AFL list at the completion of the combine two weeks ago. Craig, who was a listed umpire in 2014 returns to the list and has the opportunity to add to his 36 game career. Craig from SA spent the 2015 season umpiring in the SANFL.
A group of Riddell umpires will play an important role in the United States’ AFL national championships in Texas this weekend. – Click here to see article from Star Weekly http://www.starweekly.com.au/sports/umpires-on-trip-of-lifetime/#sthash.UHU7TjpA.dpuf
Five State League field umpires have been selected to attend the AFLUD “draft combine” that will take place over two days later this week.
Boundary Umpires