The Cairns umpiring fraternity had a collective treat last weekend when four local young members were involved in the big NEAFL/AFL double-header at Cazaly’s Stadium.
Tuesday, 19 July, 2011
The Cairns umpiring fraternity had a collective treat last weekend when four local young members were involved in the big NEAFL/AFL double-header at Cazaly’s Stadium.
Nineteen-year-old Ashley Bathurst (pictured), one of the top-ranked boundary umpires in the Cairns League, ran the line in the NEAFL curtain-raiser between the Gold Coast Suns Reserves and the NT Thunder.
Fifteen-year-old Ali Davey, a senior goal umpire in the Cairns League who started officiating in Darwin in 2009 and officiated in this year’s State U15 titles in Townsville, was the third scorer in the NEAFL game.
And two 14-year-old junior field umpires were ball stewards in the AFL game between the Suns and Richmond.
Hayden King, a senior goal umpire, and Liam Kermode, a senior boundary umpire, filled this role in the AFL game in which they were responsible for collecting balls when a score was registered.
All four teenagers were welcomed as part of the umpiring group on duty throughout the historic day and had a first-hand look from inside at how it all works.
Pierce Field, AFL Cairns’ Umpiring Development Manager, said the experience was not only a great thrill for those involved but also a massive boost to local umpiring ranks.
“We were really appreciative of the opportunities provided to our young umpires by the AFL and AFL Queensland – it was real highlight,” Field said.
“It shows the sorts of opportunities that are available down the umpiring pathway,” he said.
“And from a regional viewpoint it was great to demonstrate that, irrespective of whether you come from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay or Rockhampton, or from the metropolitan Leagues, there are terrific opportunities for up and coming umpires prepared to put in the work.”
AFLQ State League Umpire Coach Andrew Reeves said reports from Cairns on the local group were nothing but positive, and the fact that there were no incidents was indicative that they’d done all that was expected of them.
“We pride ourselves on being able to offer these sorts of opportunities for good young umpires,” he said.
“While the AFL is doing a fantastic job growing the game in markets like Cairns by taking AFL and NEAFL teams up there, the spin-off to the umpires shouldn’t be understated. It’s a fantastic initiative.”
Picture of Ashley Bathurst provided by Brett Pascoe
