For a man new to umpiring, Grant Williams knew many of the umpire’s at last nights first meeting. While waiting to be ushered into the coaching room, Grant greeted many well known faces that he had encountered across the breadth of his football journey.
Chris Donlon skimmed past and smiled welcoming Grant, “I met him in the USA at their AFL National Championships last October,” exclaimed Chris as he ran down the stairs. Head trainer, Phil Watson welcomed Grant aboard and property steward, Ben Carbonaro, who had worked with Grant at AFL Vic dropped a pile of training gear in his lap and wished him well. Chelsea Roffey was seen in deep conversation with him off to the side as was CEO of the umpires association, Peter Howe.
Assistant coach, Michael Jennings introduced Grant to the group to warm applause. In a succinct and warm manner Grant said that he was looking to get to know everyone in the room over the next few months, both professionally and personally. Grant reiterated that he will always be up for a chat and inclusively referred to all in the room as “us or we.”
Grant will certainly hit the ground running with only two weeks remaining before AFL X and then the JLT series commences in earnest. Ex AFL player and Adelaide assistant coach, James Podsiadly is working with the group around a cultural piece that will morph into 5 pillars of engagement that the group will engage in.
We look forward to working with him to expand umpiring and deliver high performance outcomes.