Phil Hayes umpired for twenty-two years (1960-1982) in some of the best competitions in Victoria and NSW and officiated in nineteen grand finals in that time. Including the 1972 VFA grand final, Oakleigh v Dandenong. Phil was President of the VFAUA in 1975.
Phil was a field umpire on the VFL Reserve Grade for two years before heading to Bendigo and Geelong with his employment as a teacher. He returned to Melbourne in 1966 and made his VFL debut in 1969. Phil umpired 16 VFL matches, before heading to the VFA in 1972.
Employment then took Phil, his wife Glenis and family to Sydney in 1977 where he umpired five Sydney Football League grand finals until his retirement in 1982.
Phil still attends AFL and NSW umpires events and believes that it is the relationships that you make in any walk of life and in particular, umpiring that makes it all worthwhile. Phil thanked all of those responsible for his award and thanked his family and friends for their support. Phil has been an associate member for the past four years and was voted in for his award at the 2013 AGM.
Phil was fittingly presented with his award at the NEAFL shirt presentation in Sydney last Thursday night. He was embraced by those young umpires in attendance.