Canberra’s first high performance umpire
Since making his AFL Canberra umpiring debut in the Division 1 competition at the age of just 16, Whitehouse has been one of the standout umpires in the ACT region.
He began his AFL Canberra umpiring career in 2010 and, after winning the Bird and Stirling Medal for Best Umpire in his first year as a senior umpire, selection in the Academy marks a massive step for the 19-year-old in his goal of becoming an AFL umpire.
The AFL has developed the AFL High Performance Umpiring Academy in conjunction with the AIS/AFL Academy and with the Australian Sports Commission’s National Officiating Scholarship Program, to provide talented young umpires with the best personal development skills to help them make the elite level.
In 2013, the AFL High Performance Umpiring Academy will involve seven field umpires in a high performance officiating program, aimed at giving each umpire the opportunity to develop as an umpire on and off the field.
The program will be overseen by former AFL Umpire Brett Allen who has now moved into a role as the AFL Umpiring High Performance Manager. Allen has a wealth of experience, having officiated a total of 346 AFL matches including 33 finals appearances and seven AFL Grand Finals.
The program will involve umpires participating in a range of activities including a High Performance Mentoring Program, personal development opportunities within the National Officiating Scholarship Program, involvement with the AFL Umpiring Department and activities incorporating the AIS/AFL football academy.
Gavin Whitehouse umpiring bio:
– Started umpiring in 2006 as a 12-year-old in Sydney
– Was chosen as NSW/ACT representative to umpire Auskick at half time of 2006 AFL Grand Final in Melbourne
– AFL NSW/ACT Umpiring Development squad member in 2009
– Umpired first senior football match in Round 1, 2010 as a 16-year-old
– Emergency field umpire 2010 AFL Canberra Senior Grand Final
– 2010 Bird and Stirling Award for Best Umpire in AFL Canberra
– NEAFL field umpire panellist in 2011 and 2012
– 2012 NEAFL finals field umpire
– 2013 AIS Umpiring Scholarship holder
The AFL High Performance Umpiring Academy is made up of the following key components:
– AFL High Performance Umpire Mentor Program
– ASC National Officiating Scholarship Program Professional Development Induction Camp
– AFL High Performance Umpiring Academy Camp for four days in Melbourne
– AFL Under-18s National Championships Live-In Experience – Eight days in Melbourne
– One-day ASC Professional Development workshop in July
– Three-day ASC Professional Development workshop in December
– Seven Professional Development Teleconferences across the year
– Personal Development Project
– Community Impact Project
