Seven years since she first picked up a whistle, 22-year-old Belinda Maher will make her AFLW field umpiring debut tonight when the Brisbane Lions take on the Western Bulldogs at Brighton Homes Arena in NAB AFLW Round 4.
It marks a significant milestone in Maher’s impressive umpiring journey and highlights the growing representation of women in Australian rules football officiating in Queensland.
Maher started her umpiring career at just 15 years old, when she first attended an umpire training night at Carrara, and since then, has steadily climbed the ranks over the past seven years.
At 22, her dedication and passion for the sport has propelled her from boundary umpiring to field umpiring, showcasing her talent in several high-profile matches.
Her notable achievements include officiating the 2020 QFA Division 2 Grand Final as a boundary umpire, the 2021 Under 17s Girls Grand Final as a field umpire, and the Bond University QAFLW Grand Final in 2022, which went into extra time.
She also made her QAFL debut in 2023 and was listed as an AFLW umpire the same year.
Maher’s debut tonight on the AFLW big stage underscores AFL Queensland’s commitment to increasing female representation in umpiring roles.
Currently, women and girls make up 18% of all registered umpires, a figure AFL Queensland is striving to enhance through targeted programs and support.
A key initiative is providing more on the ground support for women and girls umpires on match days and at training;
- Female Mentors: 10 mentors across Southeast Queensland provide invaluable guidance and support.
- Female Liaisons: 6 liaisons in Regional Queensland help foster an inclusive environment.
Just last month, AFL Queensland celebrate two historic moments when all-female umpire panels officiated McDonalds Southeast Queensland youth grand finals on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast for the first time.
Looking ahead to 2025, AFL Queensland will introduce additional pre-season programs including Come and Try Days and Youth Club Training Sessions, aiming to further engage and support aspiring female umpires.
“Belinda’s journey is a testament to her hard work and the growing opportunities for women in umpiring,” said Peter McKenzie, Gold Coast Umpiring Youth Coach.
“Her debut tonight is a proud moment for the Gold Coast umpiring community, and the women and girls umpiring community more broadly, and we are excited to see her continue to excel.”
For those interested in learning more about becoming an umpire, visit https://play.afl/umpire for further information.
