To celebrate Community Umpiring Week, we’re recognising some of our superstar team in green! Here’s a bit on how they got involved, why they love it and advice for those wanting to give it a go.
Profile #1:
NAME: Ben Johnson.
DISCIPLINE (Field, Boundary, Goal or a combination): Field.
HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN UMPIRING: 6th season.
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN UMPIRING: My older two boys started off as junior field umpires, I joined so I could engage with them and spend time at games together. They have advanced their ranks and moved from junior field to senior QAFL Boundary.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT UMPIRING: The comradery between all the umpires, the friendships made, the banter and feeling like we are making a real difference in the code.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO START UMPIRING: You would not regret the decision. You’re a part of a special group of athletes making a real difference in a great sport. You will make wonderful friendships and enjoy the fitness side. It certainly beats standing on the sideline watching.
ONE WORD WHICH BEST DESCRIBES BEING AN UMPIRE: Rewarding.
Profile #2:
NAME: Troy Sutherland.
DISCIPLINE: Field.
HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN UMPIRING: Just under 1 year.
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN UMPIRING: As a player not getting a game every week, I figured it would be good for some extra fitness and an area of footy I could really help out in. The cash is pretty handy too.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT UMPIRING: Seeing the game from a different perspective to playing, and the new challenges that come with trying to interpret and apply the laws of the game consistently. I think understanding how umpires see the game makes one a better player and vice versa.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO START UMPIRING:
Like learning to drive a car, it’s pretty nervy at the beginning but there’s a lot of support out there and a lot of people who want you to succeed and enjoy it. Also – learn every day, try not to dwell on individual calls and trust your gut on the 50-50s.
ONE WORD WHICH BEST DESCRIBES BEING AN UMPIRE: Bright.
Profile #3:
NAME: Opal Jones.
DISCIPLINE (Field, Boundary, Goal or a combination): Field.
HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN UMPIRING: 2 years.
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN UMPIRING: I was a netball umpire and just felt AFL umpiring looked a lot more exciting, so I signed up and now I just love it.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT UMPIRING: I love the challenge. You are in command of the game, which is a huge responsibility – I personally really enjoy that feeling. I’m a perfectionist so learning the game for me is fun. At the end of the game, I get super buzzed from players and coaches saying, “great job”. I hope I’m a good role model to young women, as there aren’t too many of us doing it which is a shame.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO START UMPIRING: I get that question all the time and always say… “Just do it. It’s great money, you get fit and it improves your footy”.
ONE WORD WHICH BEST DESCRIBES BEING AN UMPIRE: Rocks!
Profile #4:
NAME: Lochie Fennell.
DISCIPLINE: Field.
HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN UMPIRING: 7 years.
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN UMPIRING: After a series of injuries, I hung up the boots but still wanted to stay involved in footy.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT UMPIRING: I enjoy getting out and enjoying being amongst the game, and umpiring with an awesome group of people.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO START UMPIRING: Umpiring is really challenging and rewarding. You come to learn the finer details of the game, and gain skills that serve you well beyond footy.
ONE WORD WHICH BEST DESCRIBES BEING AN UMPIRE: Fun.
Profile #5:
NAME: Harry Stirk.
DISCIPLINE (Field, Boundary, Goal or a combination): Field.
HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN UMPIRING: 19 years.
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN UMPIRING: I started my umpiring journey after a serious head injury, which occurred whilst I was playing back when I was a young 13 year old. It was then I was told that I wouldn’t be able to play contact sport ever again. I was obviously gutted (even though I certainly wasn’t going to be any kind of footy star). I wanted to stay a part of the game and I wanted to stay involved in footy in some way. Umpiring has certainly given me that opportunity!
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT UMPIRING: For me it’s the sense of community, as well as the service to the game that we as umpires provide. I have made some wonderful friendships through umpiring, and I enjoy that I’m doing my little bit for the game I love so much.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO START UMPIRING: Just do it! Umpiring not only builds incredible attributes such as self-confidence, communication skills and decision-making under pressure but you’ll also be able to stay fit, earn some cash and, most importantly, stay involved in our great game by contributing at a local level.
ONE WORD WHICH BEST DESCRIBES BEING AN UMPIRE: Legendary.
Profile #6:
NAME: Mark Vuik.
DISCIPLINE (Field, Boundary, Goal or a combination): Field, but have happily helped out on the boundary from time to time.
HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN UMPIRING: 5 years on the Gold Coast. 4 years in Geelong.
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN UMPIRING: I coached junior and senior football, but couldn’t commit to 4 days a week coaching so I thought I could use my experience umpiring.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT UMPIRING: Having the best seat in the house to watch football.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO START UMPIRING: Get involved, it’s a great way for kids who like footy to get better, and get a better understanding of how teams play.
ONE WORD WHICH BEST DESCRIBES BEING AN UMPIRE: Awesome.
Profile #7:
NAME: Sam Spresser.
DISCIPLINE (Field, Boundary, Goal or a combination): Field.
HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN UMPIRING: 4 years.
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN UMPIRING: My mum ran the canteen so I was always hanging out at my footy club and one day they had no umpire so I did it and it was fun. I was pretty excited that they paid me to do it, so I just kept doing it.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT UMPIRING: Mostly, I enjoy the social side of it, meeting new people every week and keeping fit.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO START UMPIRING: Just give it a go and get involved.
ONE WORD WHICH BEST DESCRIBES BEING AN UMPIRE: Social.
Profile #8:
NAME: Piper Schoch.
DISCIPLINE (Field, Boundary, Goal or a combination): Boundary.
HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN UMPIRING: 7 years.
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN UMPIRING: I am getting paid to keep fit.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT UMPIRING: The people that you meet make it enjoyable.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO START UMPIRING: Umpiring is a positive community and all the people you will meet are so nice and supportive.
ONE WORD WHICH BEST DESCRIBES BEING AN UMPIRE: Quick thinking.
Profile #9:
NAME: John Higgins.
DISCIPLINE (Field, Boundary, Goal or a combination): Field Umpire.
HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN UMPIRING: Since 1998.
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN UMPIRING: My friend, Neil Jones, who ran the Gold Coast umpires at the time was looking for umpires. I umpired with Lee Pask and Garry McKenzie.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT UMPIRING: Meeting different people over a number of clubs and forming friendships.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO START UMPIRING: Encourage people who have played the game to come back as an umpire and enjoy the friendship of fellow umpires.
ONE WORD WHICH BEST DESCRIBES BEING AN UMPIRE: Enjoyment.
Profile #10:
NAME: Tshanti Parry
DISCIPLINE (Field, Boundary, Goal or a combination): Goal and more recently Field
HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN UMPIRING: 5 years
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN UMPIRING: I got involved in umpiring through my club as I was initially a player and wanted to possess a greater understanding of the game that I love.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT UMPIRING: I enjoy having a greater understanding of the game and understanding why certain calls are made, it also gives me a better appreciation for the umpires that officiate the games that I play.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO START UMPIRING: Do it. It provides more fulfilment in the game than just being a player and it provides a different aspect to the game.
ONE WORD WHICH BEST DESCRIBES BEING AN UMPIRE: Eye-Opening
A huge thank you to all our umpires! Without you, there is no game.
For more on how to become an umpire head to https://umpire.afl
Picture by Mark Button Photography
