'Massive Year' Concludes With AGMBy Tyler Higson. Time to read: 5 minutes
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The 2024 AFLQUA Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held at Westside HQ, with attendees participating both in person and online.
President Sam Somerville delivered his annual update, reflecting on what he described as a “massive year.” He proudly shared that membership numbers reached an impressive 185 — the highest in years. Somerville highlighted key achievements, including a long-overdue pay rise for umpires and successful negotiation with AFLQ ensuring umpires are no longer forced to purchase repeat uniforms.
Somerville's proudest reflections centred around re-engagement with Life Members and the return of cherished traditions.
Recalling the Tom McArthur Dinner Dance, The President reflected, “The introduction of a Life Member Panel involving umpiring legends Murray Bird, Jason Baldwin and Grant Kent was a memorable highlight of the evening. “It was a great part of the night, sharing stories and enjoying good times.”
Another major success of 2024 was the revival of the Alan Benson Trust, which enabled Harry Stirk’s participation on the Mornington Peninsula. “For the first time in many years, we brought back this initiative, and it was a massive success, and thanks to the generous fundraising we will be looking to expand to an umpiring of each discipline in 2025.” Somerville noted.
Somerville also celebrated the return of joint training sessions between Brisbane, the Sunshine and the Gold Coasts. “Training under the fold of one team was a fantastic step forward, the groundwork has been laid and there were great benefits to having all umpires together to train and socialise afterwards" he said.
Acknowledging the role of sponsors, Somerville extended a heartfelt thank you to AFLQUA's major sponsors. “Our relationship with Westside HQ continues to grow and I cannot thank them enough” he said, continuing to thank the AFLQUAs other sponsors, who without their support a lot of events wouldn't be possible, "We have also been well supported by Tribal Sport, Powerful Electrix, Golf Central and The Recovery Centre throughout the year."
Closing out his remarks, The President made some heartfelt remarks about the growing family feeling of umpiring, "The AFLQUA is here to support and advocate for all umpires but also to create an umpiring family that every umpire in SEQ can belong to."
The AGM also saw the election of new committee members, all unopposed. Among them was Jackson Whittle, the newly elected treasurer, who joins the committee for the first time.
After the AGM, Whittle expressed his enthusiasm for the role: “It’s exciting to see the growth and be a part of the new opportunities for the association.” Looking ahead to 2025, Whittle emphasised the challenges and opportunities facing younger umpires trying to break into the State League panel. “We have a young group, and it’s hard to break into the senior games. It only takes a week to slack off, and you might be waiting two months to get a chance again,” he said.
The Association looks forward to our next event in conjunction with AFL Queensland, New Farm Parkrun. Join us on Saturday 21 December at 6.45am for a 7.00am sharp start time & stay around for our post-run BBQ.
2025 AFLQUA Executive Committee: Election Results
Sam Somerville - President
Janie Mccullagh - Vice President SEQ Community
Vacant - Vice President High Performance ^
Jackson Whittle - Treasurer
Justin Lillecrapp - Secretary
Jess Smith - Registrar
Matt Bellina - General Executive
Mitch Blashak - General Executive
Tyler Higson - General Executive
Lachlan Martyr - General Executive
Jason Mitchell - General Executive
Hayden Clark - General Executive
^ The Vice President vacancy will be filled in line with the procedure set in the Constitution
President Sam Somerville delivered his annual update, reflecting on what he described as a “massive year.” He proudly shared that membership numbers reached an impressive 185 — the highest in years. Somerville highlighted key achievements, including a long-overdue pay rise for umpires and successful negotiation with AFLQ ensuring umpires are no longer forced to purchase repeat uniforms.
Somerville's proudest reflections centred around re-engagement with Life Members and the return of cherished traditions.
Recalling the Tom McArthur Dinner Dance, The President reflected, “The introduction of a Life Member Panel involving umpiring legends Murray Bird, Jason Baldwin and Grant Kent was a memorable highlight of the evening. “It was a great part of the night, sharing stories and enjoying good times.”
Another major success of 2024 was the revival of the Alan Benson Trust, which enabled Harry Stirk’s participation on the Mornington Peninsula. “For the first time in many years, we brought back this initiative, and it was a massive success, and thanks to the generous fundraising we will be looking to expand to an umpiring of each discipline in 2025.” Somerville noted.
Somerville also celebrated the return of joint training sessions between Brisbane, the Sunshine and the Gold Coasts. “Training under the fold of one team was a fantastic step forward, the groundwork has been laid and there were great benefits to having all umpires together to train and socialise afterwards" he said.
Acknowledging the role of sponsors, Somerville extended a heartfelt thank you to AFLQUA's major sponsors. “Our relationship with Westside HQ continues to grow and I cannot thank them enough” he said, continuing to thank the AFLQUAs other sponsors, who without their support a lot of events wouldn't be possible, "We have also been well supported by Tribal Sport, Powerful Electrix, Golf Central and The Recovery Centre throughout the year."
Closing out his remarks, The President made some heartfelt remarks about the growing family feeling of umpiring, "The AFLQUA is here to support and advocate for all umpires but also to create an umpiring family that every umpire in SEQ can belong to."
The AGM also saw the election of new committee members, all unopposed. Among them was Jackson Whittle, the newly elected treasurer, who joins the committee for the first time.
After the AGM, Whittle expressed his enthusiasm for the role: “It’s exciting to see the growth and be a part of the new opportunities for the association.” Looking ahead to 2025, Whittle emphasised the challenges and opportunities facing younger umpires trying to break into the State League panel. “We have a young group, and it’s hard to break into the senior games. It only takes a week to slack off, and you might be waiting two months to get a chance again,” he said.
The Association looks forward to our next event in conjunction with AFL Queensland, New Farm Parkrun. Join us on Saturday 21 December at 6.45am for a 7.00am sharp start time & stay around for our post-run BBQ.
2025 AFLQUA Executive Committee: Election Results
Sam Somerville - President
Janie Mccullagh - Vice President SEQ Community
Vacant - Vice President High Performance ^
Jackson Whittle - Treasurer
Justin Lillecrapp - Secretary
Jess Smith - Registrar
Matt Bellina - General Executive
Mitch Blashak - General Executive
Tyler Higson - General Executive
Lachlan Martyr - General Executive
Jason Mitchell - General Executive
Hayden Clark - General Executive
^ The Vice President vacancy will be filled in line with the procedure set in the Constitution
