Umpiring AFL can be an extremely rewarding experience and with high demand at all levels of the game in WA, it can be financially rewarding as well.

With the huge 91% growth in football participation rates over the last six years, WA football is in need of new umpires to keep up with the expanding competitions right around the State.

Last season, more than 7500 goal, field and boundary umpires were required each weekend to officiate in games, while 1000 club appointed umpires were also utilised.

NEDLANDS cricket umpire Chris McCann, who also umpires WAFL, became the youngest first-grade umpire in WACA history when he stood in the game between Claremont-Nedlands and Midland-Guildford this month.

The 19-year-old said he was a little nervous but had umpired half a game a few weeks before so he was confident.

“It was a cracker of a game. Claremont won outright, which is pretty rare, and the standard of the game was high,” McCann said.

A TOTAL of 125 first year umpires and mentors were recognised for their efforts at the 2009 Umpire Mentoring Program Awards, held at EFTel Oval.

 

The AFL’s Umpire Mentoring Program (Green Shirts) is an umpire education and development program that aims to use experienced umpires to mentor new and inexperienced umpires during the early stages of their development.

The program takes in new umpires, places them with a mentor within the umpiring group who is there to give feedback and advice to the new umpire.

When West Australian field umpire Craig Hendrie was promoted to AFL ranks seven years ago, he made a promise to return one day and give something back to where it all began.

And after being advised by the AFL last fortnight that he would not be offered a contract for 2010 despite seven outstanding seasons, Hendrie is preparing to deliver on his promise and become a full-time WAFL umpire next season.

The Boundary Umpiring Team claimed a hard fought win in the WANFLUA derby at Ernest Johnson Oval in South Perth on Sunday, October 18.

Individual brilliance scattered amongst a committed and determined team saw one of the State's most prestigious team football awards remain in the rightful hands of the Boundary Umpires.

Match coordinator Alan Zanich thanked all of the volunteers that made the day possible and everyone that showed their support, as well as the officiating umpires.