West Australian Football

The Mid West recently hosted an AFL Umpire Roadshow, promoting the role of the umpire in community football over a two day visit.

 

AFL Field Umpire Craig Hendrie, AFL Goal Umpire Mike Spear were accompanied by Umpire Development Officer Glenn Omodei and Smarter Than Smoking Regional Development Officer James Baker during their visit to Geraldton.

 

The Roadshow visited St Lawrence Primary School, Nagle Catholic College and the Mid West Football Academy, conducting skill sessions as well as providing an insight into the life of an AFL Umpire. The Umpires also conducted a session with a local disability support service, trained the Great Northen Football League Umpiring Panel and were the special guests at a dinner held for current and interested umpires.

 

Smarter Than Smoking Regional Development Officer James Baker said the Roadshow was extremely successful.

 

"Students from the two high schools showed a great deal of interest in the sessions. We are now working out the best way to involve these interested students and get them suitably trained to umpire community football. The umpiring panel we have at the moment is quite experienced, so it is a fantastic sign for local football and umpiring to have these younger guys interested".