Jack Hartley has just recently turned 18 years of age, but just over a month ago at the Inaugural National U15’s Kickstart Championships, Jack was on the big stage, but not as a player but as an Indigenous Umpire.
Jack has been playing football since the age of nine, and is currently a member of the Ipswich Senior football side. Jack has been umpiring football for the past 3 years continually improving and currently umpiring Open School boys and U16’s competitions.
Jack’s mother Sue Hartley was a part of the ‘Stolen Generation’ and can trace her roots back to Sister Kate’s home in Queens Park, where her mother was a member of the church home, alongside AFL Legend Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer. Sue stated,” It was a great opportunity for Jack to be a part of the National Kickstart Championships”.
Jack, was very happy and excited that he could take part in the championships and felt very privileged, stating,” It was a great honour”.
We hope to hear more of Jack in the future and wish him all the best with his umpiring.
