Young umpires making their mark

Mortdale’s Dylan Moore won the William Johnston Memorial Golden Whistle Award as the season’s best performing umpire.

Joshua Miller of Sylvania was adjudged the most improved umpire and took home the Silver Whistle Award.

AFL NSW/ACT Umpire Development Coordinator Carl Fletcher said, “Dylan and Joshua have shown significant improvement over the course of 2013.

“Both boys have also participated in the Sydney Regional Junior Umpiring Squad program, a program aimed at developing talented junior umpires skills and confidence to help them progress towards senior football.”

The final winner on the night was Nathan Osborne of Mortdale, who won the Alan Dixon Green Shirt Umpire Award for being the most improved first-year umpire in the region.

“Young Nathan was one of the regions new recruits this year and is also a deserving award recipient,” said Fletcher.

In 2013 umpiring numbers increased from 53 umpires in 2012 to 63 in 2013.

With the continued growth of junior football across Sydney the Greater Sydney Juniors will be looking for more people to take up umpiring in 2014.

Umpiring groups have regular training to teach new umpires the skills, and to further develop the skills and knowledge of existing umpires.

Anyone who is 13 years of age or older can start umpiring. If you are interested in umpiring in 2014 please contact AFL NSW/ACT Umpiring Development Coordinator Carl Fletcher via email on car.fletcher@aflnswact.com.au or call on 8867 7420.