To understand this, just ask Hugo Robinson, it was June in 2008 that Hugo was preparing to boundary umpire the much awaited A Grade Amateurs, top of the tables clash, North Beach vs North Fremantle. Whilst that game did not live up to expectations, the game he is waiting for this week surely will.

Hugo has been appointed to the Perth v South Fremantle, League match at EFTEL Oval, for the first of what surely will be many games in his career.

Goal umpire Cos Martino, boundary umpire George Pampacos and field umpire Ron Buckey have been inducted into WAFL Umpiring’s Hall of Fame during a huge function at the home of umpiring.

Almost 150 people crammed into Ernest Johnson Reserves to pay tribute to the trio, as the Hall of Fame grew to include 47 members. More than one third of the Hall of Famers were in attendance as part of the glittering evening that saw tributes sent by former and current umpires along with a special surprise appearance by Brownlow medallist Jason Akermanis.

In 2009 the WANFLUA has made a conscious effort to recognize the efforts of individual umpires throughout the course of the season.

This has been done by reintroducing the ‘Umpires of the Round’ award. This is an award, that in the past, was chosen by the coaches and given to the best performed umpire over a period of time. For 2009 and beyond however, it has taken on a different structure. 

WEST Australian Football League umpires will wear purple shirts for this Saturday’s league clash at Medibank Stadium in a show of support for the Breast Cancer Foundation of Western Australia’s (BCFWA) Purple Bra Day.

The Round 12 fixture between Subiaco and Swan Districts will also see Subiaco Football Club help launch awareness of breast cancer and raise funds for Purple Bra Day, which is the major annual fundraiser for the BCFWA.

Two-time Grand Final field umpire Gavin Statham will officiate his 250th league game when he umpires today’s clash (May 23) between Western Australia and South Australia. Statham also umpired last year’s state game held in Queensland.

Statham, who is also a rookie AFL umpire, has umpired consistently in the first nine rounds of the football season and is now the leading umpire in the WAFL competition. Statham will join close mate and experienced umpire David Panagopoulos in today’s State game.