400 and counting

This Saturday, May 29, Frank Kalayzich umpires his 400th Premier Division Senior game between East Coast Eagles and Pennant Hills at Bruce Purser Reserve. His journey began way back in 1978 at Christian Brothers’ Manly where the late Br. Ross Downward introduced Frank to AFL football.

He commenced his career in the North Shore Juniors playing for Seaforth and umpiring. After five years of umpiring in the juniors Frank moved into the senior ranks in 1983 umpiring the Under 19’s and Reserves.

In 1984-85 Frank moved to Toowoomba to take up his first teaching position and while there continued to umpire in the Darling Downs League before returning to Sydney in 1986 to umpire his first senior game in Round 1. Frank has also umpired in excess of fifty VFL/AFL Reserves and the equivalent of NAB Cup games from 1987 – 1995.

Apart from a year off in 2001 due to the birth of his daughter Isabella, Frank has never missed a home and away game during his 25 years in Sydney. This commitment and dedication to the role is exemplary and would be rarely matched.

Frank attributes his longevity to five things:

1. Having a running background which includes a sub three hour marathon and 47.13 City to Surf,
2. swimming for fitness and recovery,
3. not having to bounce the ball in recent years which has preserved his hamstrings,
4. remedial massage
5. Greg Bombell his physiotherapist.

Fitness and preparation have been Frank’s strengths over the years which have contributed to his achievements which include a record nine Premier Division Senior Grand Finals, his first back in 1987 and his most recent in 2009.

Umpiring has been a wonderful part of Frank’s life and he is grateful to the many people who have contributed to his stellar career. In particular he names Mark Rendell who guided him initially back in 1983 observing his performances for his first 6 games.

In his first game at Trumper Park Frank recalls there were three reports, two striking and assaulting an umpire – charges totalling 5 years and 16 weeks in suspensions on one player. (No send-off rule back in those days!). Thank goodness for Mark’s support as it may have been his last game.

David Levens is acknowledged to have been one of the greatest influences on Frank as coach and mentor for five years in the early nineties, before the AFL seconded him for their top job.

Other significant people in Frank’s development include Tony St. Clair, Max Henry, Keith Ogston, David Howlett, Graham Glassford, Simon Harrison and of course the many umpires he has officiated with week in week out.

Visits from AFL Umpires Ray Chamberlain, Troy Pannell and Matthew James in recent times where they have offered words of wisdom and shared their wealth of experiences have been very influential and motivational for Frank and the umpiring group.

Frank’s other career is as a PDHPE teacher currently at Santa Sabina College. Over the years in teaching he has been an excellent role model to the thousands of students he has taught. He has always been one who “practises what he preaches”.

Another significant contribution that Frank has made is to the development of the up and coming umpires.  Over the years he has been a respected role model guiding many through their first senior games, providing encouragement, expecting them to give of their best and more importantly promoting the joy of the experience.

Frank hopes for continued health and fitness as there are a few more games left in those legs yet.