AFL field umpires Dean Margetts and Brett Rosebury joined Perth Demons players Steve Armstrong and Drew Robinson to umpire an under 12s carnival at Sutherlands Park in Gosnells on Saturday, July 9.
Armstrong and Robinson gave umpiring a go in support of the Umpiring is Everyone’s Business Campaign, which focusses on using influential people within Australian Football to advocate positively about umpiring.
Armstrong played 79 games with Melbourne and West Coast in the AFL, and had a starring role in the Eagles’ 2006 Premiership. However, he had a totally different experience on Saturday when all the young players were looking to him to make the big decisions.
“Steve demonstrated excellent communication with the players and it was great to see him give umpiring a go. I’m sure it was an eye-opening experience for him,” said Daniel Gibbons, Umpire Manager for the Demons District.
Margetts and Rosebury also returned to their original junior district to promote umpiring and mentor aspiring young umpires.
Rosebury, who umpired the 2009 and 2010 AFL Grand Finals, said it was great to see heaps of support for the Umpiring is Everyone’s Business campaign.
“Especially the Perth Demons players getting involved and having a go at umpiring,” he said.
Margetts also reflected on what it meant to return to his junior district to support the campaign.
“To be able to come back to the grass roots of my junior playing, coaching and umpiring days gave me a real buzz and to have been able to umpire the Friday night game beforehand with my good mate and AFL colleague Brett Rosebury made the day even more special.
“With Brett being an Armadale boy and I being a Maddington boy we are certainly very much products of the Demons District system and proud to be,” he said.
Gibbons commended both umpires for making the effort to run around in support of junior football after umpiring the AFL game between West Coast and Geelong the previous night.
“It was an extraordinary thing to have two AFL umpires visiting the Demons District in support of this important campaign,” remarked Gibbons.
WAFC Junior Community Umpire Manager Paul Pitchers said it was great to see the Perth District embracing the “Umpiring is Everyone’s Business” message by supporting this day.
“From the WAFL club captain to the players and AFL umpires, everyone has provided outstanding support. Also, the day would not have been as successful without the input of the Demons District Umpire Coach Daniel Gibbons, who has put a massive amount of time and effort to ensure this day was a success.”
The Umpiring is Everyone’s Business Carnival was proudly supported by the Demons District, Demons District Football Umpires Association, Perth Demons, WAFC, AFL and hosted by the Gosnells JFC.
