Page 92 - AFL Queensland 2014 in Review

07
UMPIRING
2014 has been a year filled with many changes, both within the Umpiring Department and umpiring groups across the state. The year was unfortunately also filled with the sudden and tragic passing of the NEAFL/ QAFL umpire fitness coach Warren Vines. He was a highly regarded person in the wider football community and will be sorely missed.
There have also been many positives throughout the year which will benefit and move umpiring forward in the coming years. Some of these initiatives include:
• The beginning of the year saw the reintroduction of the Umpires Academy. This program was set up with the mindset to help fast-track our most promising future umpires with guided and specific one-on-one coaching. This program is paving the way for Queensland’s future elite umpires, helping them transition from junior and community football through to state league and AFL level.
• Season 2014 saw the promotion of Andrew Stephens onto the senior AFL field umpiring list and Robert Whitehead onto senior goals. Andrew’s first match was the April 17 Brisbane Lions and Collingwood clash and he finished the season with a total of 11 games. Robert debuted on June 21 at the Gold Coast SUNS vs Geelong match.
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