Umpire makes Broken Hill history

By Alison Zell

Margaret Paul will make Broken Hill footballing history tomorrow when she becomes the first female field umpire in the League’s 120-year existence.

Paul, an ABC radio journalist, moved from Melbourne to Broken Hill at the beginning of this year and took up umpiring to get involved in the local community.

“All the women I knew were playing football and I was so jealous,” Paul said.

“Because of two knee reconstructions I couldn’t play, so I turned to umpiring instead.

“I grew up watching footy and my brother was a great junior player but I’d never played or umpired before.

“It took moving to a country town where you have to be involved in the sporting scene if you want to be part of the culture of the town.”

Paul has been running the boundary in all grades this year before being chosen as a central field umpire in tomorrow’s women’s game between South Broken Hill and West Broken Hill at Jubilee Oval.

Luke Olsen, umpiring development coordinator for southern NSW said Paul was the perfect example of how easy it is to get involved in AFL.

“Margaret just shows that there are opportunities to be involved in the game regardless of who you are, where you come from or your experience,” Olsen said.

“Without umpires you don’t have a game, and without quality umpires, you don’t have a quality game.

“You could say Margaret’s a bit of a trailblazer as far as the umpiring side of things goes but she also highlights across the board the opportunities women have in football.”

But Paul doesn’t see herself as a leader, she just enjoys being involved.

“I don’t really see it as an achievement; it certainly doesn’t feel like I’m some pioneer,” she said.

“Women’s football has really taken off in Broken Hill this year, we have two female boundary umpires and women are really part of the football scene.”

Paul was a netballer before her injuries but said once being introduced to umpiring, it appealed to her immediately.

“Being a news journalist, I think it’s the discipline that I like,” she said.

“It sounds dorky but running along the lines, turning, signaling, I really like all that sort of stuff.

“I was always a bit hot-headed when I was playing sport so I think it’s best to stick to the other side of the lines.”

With four strong clubs in Broken Hill and the development of the women’s competition, footy in the region is thriving.

“The surrounding towns are mainly Rugby League towns so Broken Hill is really self-contained and everyone is either involved in footy, or knows someone who is,” Paul said.

“On the weekends all the footy ovals are packed and there are games going all day.”

Paul will get out the rulebook for some study before tomorrow’s game but is looking forward to getting out there and giving it a go.

“I’ll have to do some revision of the rules but I know a fair few of the girls already so I’m sure it will be fine.”