By RUSSELL BENNETT
AFL grand final umpire Matthew Nicholls put a group of the hills’ best whistle-blowers through their paces at the Knox athletics track on Thursday night.
Far from taking it easy on the local officials from the Yarra Ranges Umpires Association (YRUA), Nicholls – and AFL goal umpire Chris Appleton – took them through a series of rigorous physical challenges to give them just a taste of what life must be like to umpire on the big stage.
The elite umpires’ visit to YRUA was a part of the AFL Umpiring Roadshow, held in conjunction with AFL Victoria, the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League (YVMDFL) and the Victorian Country Football League (VCFL) and followed a visit to Emerald Secondary College. A presentation night, sponsored by YV Financial Services and the Bendigo Bank, followed training.
Nicholls officiated in last year’s AFL grand final and is a veteran of more than 200 AFL games.
AFL Victoria umpiring development manager Russell O’Toole, who travelled with Nicholls and Appleton, said the training sessions, as part of the Umpire Roadshow, “provided a tremendous opportunity for anyone interested in football umpiring to learn more about a hugely important and enjoyable facet of the sport”.
“Meeting elite level umpires and listening to their experiences is fantastic for young umpires and will encourage them to seek further opportunities in umpiring and perhaps aspire to progressing to the AFL system,” he said.
“Another important component of the roadshow (is) the many school visits that will allow student leaders in each community to learn about strategies involving effective communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, and impartiality.”
“The umpires are tremendous ambassadors for Australian football and have a wealth of experience to share with young umpires and students.”
