Eleni Tee will make history when setting foot on the Adelaide Oval in Round One, becoming the first Mother to field umpire an AFL match.
In a fitting return to football in Tee’s hometown of Adelaide, one-year-old son Levi born last February will be in the crowd, alongside her partner and former boundary umpire Dillon.
Speaking with the Herald Sun, Eleni mentioned the support of the umpiring department as well as family and friends has been vital over the past year in giving her the confidence to come back.
“Being from Adelaide and having all our family and friends here … if I was in Melbourne, I probably would have retired, I think. But because I had the option of being with my family and surrounded by my support network, (it has worked).”
While tackling first-time parenthood, Eleni has worked tirelessly to rebuild her fitness to the demanding level of AFL football. Head of Officiating Stephen McBurney praised Tee’s commitment, noting she “performed exceptionally well in the pre-season” and has “returned to umpiring in peak physical condition.”
“Her professionalism and dedication has been outstanding. Even when on leave, Eleni was attending all of our coaching sessions online to ensure she was keeping updated on all rules and interpretation changes.”
Eleni told the Sun of her excitement to have Levi in the crowd for her return, crediting his arrival to a change in perspective about the pressures associated with AFL umpiring.
“You might dwell on an umpiring error previously, but all of a sudden you’ve got this beautiful smiling little boy looking at you—and you don’t worry as much,” she reflected. “Dwelling doesn’t help in terms of your performance.”
“To be back with him there, and [with] my family and friends to cheer me on [in Adelaide], it’s a really wonderful way to get back into footy.”
Article by Patrick Sexton
Featured image: PERTH – APRIL 09: AFL Field Umpire, Eleni Tee during the 2023 AFL Round 04 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Melbourne Demons at Optus Stadium on April 9, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos)