It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sad passing of a wonderful family man, a great umpire and coach, an exceptional contributor to the AFLUA and a man who stood for all of the values our association holds dear.
Brian had two “stints” with the VFL, firstly as a field umpire between 1958 and 1970 where he umpired 7 VFL Reserve Grade games, 1 Tasmanian game and 209 VCFL matches including 3 grand finals and 8 metropolitan games.
He returned to the VFL in 1975 as a goal umpire where he umpired 212 games, including 16 finals. He umpired the 1976 and 1983 VFL Grand Finals. His career as a VFLUA listed umpire spaned 25 years.
On his retirement Brian became the VFL assistant goal umpires’ advisor between 1988 and 1989. He came back as the AFL national director of goal umpiring between 1993 and 1995.
Brian was an exceptional “association man.” He was a member of the social committee between 1963 and 1966. He was social secretary 1967-’68. He was a member of the executive committee in 1970 and again in 1977-78.
Brian was awarded his life membership in 1968. He was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1969 and was inducted into the AFLUA Hall of Fame in 2008.
Brian’s exceptional service to the AFLUA was rewarded when the Brian Pratt Medallion was struck in his honour and presented to the best first or second year AFL goal umpire each year.
Brian was currently serving on the AFLUA Hall of Fame Sub-committee, a role he had since its inauguration in 2005.
Our thoughts are with his wife Val and family.
Pictured: AFLUA Life Member – Brian Pratt at the 2014 Awards Presentation
