Coffs Harbour umpire’s key role

Local Coffs Harbour umpire Mitchell Turner has been given the honour of mentoring and nurturing the next crop of the state’s officiators when the Joss State Zone Trials comes to town next week.

It is a fantastic achievement for the 18-year-old who has quickly risen in the sport since he first blew the whistle five years ago.

Turner, who is the sole Coffs Harbour umpire selected in the development academy, has been given the task of guiding the up and coming umpires through their experience while also umpiring matches himself.

“This year I will be taking on more of a mentoring role, where the other umpires are more than likely going to be there for the first time,” Turner said.

“It’s a good time to mentor the other guys coming through the ranks. It’s a great experience. Since I’m familiar with what’s going on and because I’m a local umpire I can help them with their umpiring.”

Turner will be best equipped in his dual mentoring and officiating role given he was the one being mentored this time last year.

Having only umpired for such a short period of time, Turner’s swift rise has seen him already umpire two AFL North Coast senior grand finals, claim the Golden Whistle award in 2008 and be part of the development academy for the past three years.

Although, the student studying nursing is always striving for more – especially when there’s some family rivalry involved.

“I’ve got two brothers, a twin, who still plays AFL and my older brother is a senior umpire. There is a bit of competition between me and my brother,” he said.

“He’s got a couple of years up on me and he’s umpired five senior grand finals and I’ve done two – but he’s umpired for three years longer so we’re pretty even.

“Ultimately I want to be the umpire out there on AFL grand final day at the MCG. I want to make it all the way and be that umpire in the middle.”

The expansion of the national competition has not only positively influenced players but umpires too will be given an opportunity to showcase their talents on another level.

The new North East Australian Football League will provide umpires with the chance to officiate Sydney Swans, GWS Giants, Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns reserves sides.

State Umpiring Manager Graham Glassford said Turner is one of many umpires coming through the system who are helping put NSW/ACT officiators on the map.

“Umpiring in NSW and the ACT is on the rise and this year we saw a record 1049 officiators take to the field,” Glassford said.

“With umpires like Mitchell coming through our program and with more opportunities than ever before for umpires we truly believe we’ll be seeing more NSW/ACT born players in the AFL in the coming years.

“Best of luck to all umpires chosen in the development academy for Coffs Harbour. This is a fantastic achievement and a real opportunity to take your umpiring to another level with around the clock access to coaches and personnel.”

People interested in umpiring can contact the AFL NSW/ACT Umpiring Department by visiting www.aflnswact.com.au and clicking on umpiring.