2013 Umpiring Round: Dale Puren

Dale was added to the AFL Umpiring Panel this year, bringing the total number of Canberra umpires on the list to six.

I started umpiring in 2002 after playing in a junior competition for a couple of years. I enjoyed the game so much that even after it became clear I was a terrible player I still wanted to be involved in the sport, so when I received a flyer in the mail advertising umpiring, I jumped at the chance to join in.

I chose to become a goal umpire, mostly because there was less running involved in it than either boundary or field. There was a great group of coaches in the group, and in 2003 I was able to progress through the grades to first grade.

The umpiring group is a very tight-knit one, with a good sense of camaraderie and a strong community feel to it. The atmosphere of the group meant that every off-season dragged on too long. Everyone there drives you to do better and better, and with that support I was able to do 6 senior grand finals, as well as umpire several representative matches such as u18 national championships, TAC Cup matches, and state representative games.

In late 2012 I was given the news that I had been accepted onto the AFL umpiring panel for 2013. It was a long-term dream of mine, and had taken a lot of work to bring myself up to the fitness standard required.

I remember thinking that the NAB Cup games I umpired this year were pretty exciting, but they were nothing compared to the thrill of doing my first home and away match at home at Manuka in Round 3.

I am looking forward to any and every game I get appointed to this season, I’m grateful for the chance to umpire at the top level of the game, and hope to repay the time, effort and faith that people have had in me for 11 years by having a long and successful career.