Page 79 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2012 YEAR IN REVIEW

Queensland umpires topped off 2012 with some outstanding on field achievements:
• Andrew Stephens became an AFL rookie listed field umpire for the first time.
• Nick Wade (40 years old) was added to the list of AFL boundary umpires.
• Alex Whetton (Brisbane Juniors) toured South Africa as all Australian under 15’s umpire.
• Over 60 Youth umpires from all across QLD officiated in a development championship for season 2012.
• All age group country championships were officiated by regional umpires only for first time in 10 years. Two of these attended national championships.
• Kayne Nund became the first former player in AFLQ player pathway program and umpired in the Division 1 Shield under 18’s grand final. Kayne
is on track to make the NEAFL umpire panel by 2014 and see where he can go from there.
• John Stackpoole former Sandgate player and AFLQ team of the century player umpired his first grand final.
• Six former development squad members became NEAFL listed field umpires. Congratulations to James Strybos, Tyler Higson, Nathan Scott, Ryan Downes, Chris Melin and Matthew Young. Many thanks to; Simon Devine, Aaron Hall, Brent Cue, Troy Friend (coach) and Nick Palmer (coach), they have all assisted over the past few years to improve the umpires to
such a standard that they can progress to NEAFL.
• And who could forget that Queensland umpiring product Chelsea Roffey umpired the AFL Grand final. She became the first Queensland umpire and first Female to do so.
ANDREW REEVES
STATE UMPIRE MANAGER
AFL Queensland
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