AFL NSW/ACT umpires recognised

Over 160 umpires, coaches, volunteers and parents filled a room at ANZ Stadium recently to recognise umpiring achievements across all levels in NSW and the ACT.

Umpires appointed to Grand Finals, Golden Whistle Award winners, mentors, coaches and volunteers were all celebrated as the 2012 AFL season comes to a close.

Participants in the new National Green Shirt Program were also recognised as they started their AFL umpiring careers.

The Green Shirt program is designed for new umpires to help them learn and develop their skills and confidence through coaching and on field mentoring.

Green Shirt umpires are provided with an umpiring kit when they start containing a sports bag, uniform, whistle, hat, sweatbands and interactive learning DVD.

As part of the program, they are mentored by experienced umpires until they are competent to graduate from their Green Shirt.

At the Awards Day Green Shirt Umpires and their mentors were presented with a certificate and a USB containing the 2012 seasons ‘It’s Your Call’ clips in recognition of their achievements.

Golden Whistle Award winners, the best umpire in each competition, were also recognised for their achievements while Grand Final Umpires, coaches and volunteers were presented to the audience for their efforts throughout the 2012 season.

The audience enjoyed interviews with some of the umpires present and were treated to speeches from special guests including Nathan Elsworthy and Dean Garroway.

Elsworthy, from the NSW Central Coast, trialled for the AFL in 2012 and was successful in being selected to the AFL Rookie Field umpire list.

During the season he was the emergency field umpire for 11 AFL matches and participated in coaching and development to further develop his fitness, skills and knowledge required to umpire in the AFL.

Garroway, just 19, is a promising young field umpire. After participating in the junior umpiring talent pathway he has progressed to AFL Sydney Premier Division football and this season umpired the AFL Sydney Premier Division Grand Final between UNSW/ES and Balmain.

During the year he was selected to umpire at the Australian Country Championships in Wagga Wagga and was named Umpire of the Carnival.

Both Elsworthy and Garroway left junior umpires in the room excited about the opportunities available to them through umpiring.

Field, Boundary and Goal umpires are needed across NSW and the ACT for the 2013 season. Contact carl.fletcher@aflnswact.com.au for more information.