Elsworthy has a taste of success

Central Coast umpire Nathan Elsworthy has had his first taste of officiating at the elite AFL level since his elevation to the AFL Umpires Rookie List earlier this year.

Speaking at a recent appearance with AFL NSW/ACT General Manager Tom Harley at the Newcastle No.1 Oval, Elsworthy said moving up to the elite level has resulted in a few changes to his training routine.

“The biggest difference is the fitness training, I’m now running between 50 and 60 kilometres a week,” he said.

　”The amount of work I’ve been putting into my umpiring in the past year has gone up tenfold,” he said.

Elsworthy teleconferences with the Melbourne umpires each week prior to the commencement of the round. Preparation for the meeting takes around two hours he says, in addition to a full-time schedule studying for a pHD in Sports Science.

Despite the increase in his workload, Elsworthy describes his new role as a “fantastic experience” and hopes to be become a senior member of the AFL umpiring squad next season.

Harley says it’s a great achievement for a NSW umpire to be heading to the highest level of AFL officiation.

“It’s a fantastic effort for Nathan to be rookie listed this year,” he said, “It’s a great achievement for him as well as our umpiring team.”

“We’re striving to produce top quality AFL talent across NSW/ACT, from players and umpires to coaches and administrators. Nathan is a great example of the work that is being done.”

Harley was visiting Newcastle to inspect AFL facilities in the region. AFL NSW/ACT is exploring further opportunities to partner with local government to improve infrastructure to benefit the AFL clubs in the region.