Three umpires selected to national program

Three of the best women umpires across NSW and the ACT have been selected as part of Female Umpire Accelerator Program in 2024.

The program recognises umpires who have been performing at the highest level in their local competitions and are ready to take the next step in umpiring. Further, the program connects women and girl field, boundary and goal umpires from around the country so they can get additional coaching, mentoring and support to accelerate their umpiring development. 

Field umpires, Zali Mertens (Hunter Central Coast, pictured left) and Alysha Ramsay (AFL Sydney, pictured middle) as well as goal umpire, Emma Loaney (AFL Canberra, pictured right), have all been identified and selected in this program ahead of the 2024 season.

These umpires will be assigned a Female Accelerator Coach who will mentor and work closely with them and their local umpiring coach throughout the season.

The focus of the coach is to work with these umpires primarily on setting and implementing their goals and ensure that the umpires are exposed to AFL umpires and coaches at match day and at training.

As part of the program Mertens, Ramsay and Loaney will get selected to officiate at the Under 16s Boys National Championships competition in 2024.

Up until then, the key for these three talented female umpires will be to focus on making sure that they are all dedicated and committed to the program by remaining proactive and ensuring they are invested in their own umpiring development on a weekly basis.

Congratulations to Zali, Alysha and Emma on their selection in this program and all the best for your future umpiring development and aspirations!

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