AFL umpire Dean Margetts is going back to his tight, white-short wearing days to umpire an under 17s game during the AFL split-round next weekend.
“I remember my shorts were a lot tighter and a lot whiter back then,” he said of his early umpiring days in WA.
Margetts began his career playing WA junior football then jumped into umpiring with the Demons District Football Umpires Association (DDFUA).
DDFUA President Daniel Gibbons asked Margetts to umpire an under 17s game as part of the ongoing Umpiring is Everyone’s Business campaign.
The veteran umpire said he was happy to give up his weekend, which would otherwise be spent resting up and holidaying with family.
“It’s important for me because without the Demons District I wouldn’t be where I am now. I think if the opportunity exists for us to go back to our roots, so to speak, that we should take it and give back to the community.”
Margetts believes that officiating with someone from an AFL level makes the game more real and tangible for young umpires and players.
“Seeing someone who started where they are now, umpiring for the AFL, they realize that they can reach their goals,” he said.
Margetts will umpire the Gosnells versus Kenwick game on Sunday June 27 at Sutherlands Park in Gosnells, alongside other DDFUA umpires.
“Hopefully I can offer a few tips along the way to improve the game,” Margetts said.
He also wants to help the junior players learn more about the laws and rules they are bound by, at all levels.
Getting the parents of junior players and umpires to understand the important role umpires play is another of Margetts goals.
“If these young kids aren’t doing the job, who’s going to? We want to show everyone how important umpiring is, including parents, coaches and spectators,” he said.
