Experience of a lifetime for junior umpires

Four Hume Football League Junior umpires had the experience of a lifetime on Saturday Night when they were welcomed into the inner sanctum of the AFL Umpires rooms at the NAB Challenge match between GWS GIANTS and North Melbourne at Lavington Sports Ground in Albury.

Jack Hunter, Ian Ellis, Jack Nicholas and Matthew Mallon spent time with the appointed umpires for the match. They had the enviable opportunity to be in the rooms prior to the match, walk onto the ground with the umpires before the game, participate in the pre-game warm-up and also spend time with the umpires after the game to ask questions about all things umpiring.

Hume League Umpires Coordinator Rick Clancy chaperoned the junior umpires and thought the concept was a great idea.

“The opportunity these boys got to engage with AFL Umpires was priceless in regards to their development”, Clancy said at the Hume Football League season launch on Sunday.

All four juniors umpire for their local clubs as well as being involved in the School Based Umpiring Academies that are linked into the Hume Football League.

The meeting had a special significance for two of the AFL umpires as well with Jacob Mollison and Mark Foster being local boys who have made it to the big time.

This gave the boys the realisation that, with commitment and effort, they too could one day umpire in the AFL.

Southern NSW Umpire Development Officer, Luke Olsen, was not only thankful for the opportunity given by the AFL Umpiring Department but was also suitably impressed with the enthusiasm that was shown by all appointed umpires in making the boys feel welcome.

“This was an unbelievable experience for all the guys and something I am sure they will remember for a long time,” Olsen said.

“I really want to thank all the AFL Umpires involved in the match for being so open to the concept and making it a huge success.”