Whistling to the top

New South Wales’ Matt Gestier and the ACT’s Gavin Whitehouse are one step closer to reaching their dreams of officiating in the AFL after being recognised as the umpire of the year in their respective state.

It is Gestier’s second consecutive year of being named as the umpire in AFL Sydney’s team of the year while Whitehouse has become the first ever 17-year-old to take out the Bird and Stirling award for AFL Canberra.

State Umpiring Manager Graham Glassford said both umpires should be very proud of their achievements.

“To be recognised as umpire of the year for their state is a significant accomplishment for Matt and Gavin,” Glassford said.

“The relationship these two umpires have with the players, coaches and clubs is indicative of the nature of umpiring and the way they connect with the wider football community.

“Matt and Gavin are fantastic role models for aspiring umpires and their hard work both on and off the field is recognised by winning their respective state awards.”

Gestier, 25, in his tenth year of umpiring has already achieved some feats others only dream of. Last year he officiated his first professional AFL match during the NAB Cup.

While trialing to make the AFL as an umpire, Gestier learnt a lot from the experience and is hopeful of one day fulfilling his dream.

“It’s been a goal of mine for the last couple of years. I had a trial last season, I did the NAB Cup and NAB Challenge and a few pre-season games so I’ve got a good taste for it.

“It’s something I’m trying to work on now to get another trial and hopefully I get a spot on an AFL list,” Gestier said.

For Whitehouse to receive the award at such a young age is a true reflection of the hard work he puts in and the future he has in umpiring.

At the start of the year Whitehouse thought he was a long shot of being named as umpire of the year let alone be given an opportunity in first grade.

“I came into the season expecting to be in division two all year but I ended up proving myself in division one and am now emergency for the grand final. I was expecting just to put in a solid year in reserves,” Whitehouse said.

“But to win the award, it’s an honour, the guys that have won it before, like Ray Chamberlain, it would be great to live up to them.”

Interestingly both Gestier and Whitehouse used to play AFL but decided to pursue umpiring to improve their chances of making the big time. Gestier and Whitehouse are not alone.

This year umpiring numbers are at a record high with 1049 people throughout the state and territory joining the umpiring team.

Gestier said he couldn’t be happier umpiring.

“It’s a different way of seeing the game. It provides some good challenges with player management, it’s a good way to stay fit,” he said.

“I’ve got a good kick out of it now that I’m doing good with it and getting some good opportunities.

“I never would have played AFL professionally but now I’ve umpired at the AFL level and I’m still in the pipeline which is a great benefit of umpiring.”

For people interested in becoming umpires can they please contact their local umpiring representative through the umpiring contacts page at www.aflnswact.com.au.