After more than a decade and 435 games of blowing the whistle at WA Amateur level, Brad Nairn was appointed to his first A grade match on July 23, 2011, between Trinity-Aquinas and Maddington at Bill Grayden Reserve.
Nairn described his experience on the day as different to what he had experienced in the past.
“It was a big step up in intensity, the skill level of the top echelon of players was outstanding and the depth across the entire team was more noticeable than at the lower grade level.”
A couple of years back Nairn did umpire an A grade match but it was from the result of an umpire going down injured at the beginning of that match and Nairn was at the ground after umpiring the reserves game and filled in.
This time however Nairn achieved the result on his own accord.
Nairn, an ex-player, who started his playing career alongside Dwayne Lamb at North Innaloo juniors, decided to take up umpiring after playing and has slowly worked his way through the grades, starting off as a Club Umpire.
Over the past three seasons Nairn’s commitment and dedication to training has been second to none. He has hardly missed a training session over that time dedicating himself to two nights a week of training and regular gym work.
Over and above this, Nairn has been a great mentor to young aspiring umpires, being an assistant coach in 2010 and 2011 of the Craig Hendrie Junior District Talent Squad, which is the breeding ground for talented umpires north of the river before they take the next step to Amateur and then WAFL footy.
When asked about how he felt when receiving his appointment Nairn said he was very excited and a little nervous at the same time.
“I was really happy that all my hard work had paid off and that I was able to umpire at the highest level that I could get to,” he said.
Nairn also pointed to mate-ship, camaraderie and the social aspect as being the main reason why he has been involved in football for so many years.
Nairn also enjoys umpiring cricket during the summer season and his long term goal is to run a marathon. He hopes that this year he will be able to complete the full marathon at the City to Surf after completing the half marathon three times.
