![]() This month we're profiling AFL Goal Umpire Alistair. Alistair was fortunate enough to umpire the curtain raiser at the 'G on AFL Grand Final day in 2015 and made his debut in the AFL in Round 5 of this year. His zip and enthusiasm contributes a lot of energy to the Goalie group at Coorparoo. What made you first want to become an umpire? I was playing under 11’s in the local Toowoomba competition and had a lot of friends playing in the under 13s after my game. While I was never much of a player I really wanted to help out and running the boundary to assist the field umpire seemed like a fun thing to do especially when the pay was a pie and a can of soft drink! I loved it. One day I volunteered to be a goal umpire out at Goondiwindi for the 13s and the Regional umpire manager was the field umpire, he told me he liked what he saw and that I should take up goal umpiring. Haven’t looked back since. What do you do outside of umpiring? I’m a full time student studying pharmacy at the University of Queensland and I work twice a week in a community pharmacy as a dispensing assistant. Has football always been a part of your life before umpiring? I come from Gatton originally which is known as being a big rugby league capital in the Lockyer Valley but luckily for me my dad hails from country Victorian and grew up playing football so a keen AFL following was inevitable. I’ve had a keen interest in AFL as early back as 2002 and still remember the occasion trips down to the Gabba with dad. How have you found the change from State League to AFL? Is there something in particular that you’ve really had to adjust to? The media, crowds and the overall pace of the game were the three biggest changes I’ve found so far. I think pace would be the most important thing to take on board and adjust to. What has been your most memorable moment as an umpire? The first time decision I had in my debut game would top the list. Are there any particular coaches or umpires who have had an impact on you in your time as an Umpire? There’s been so many, to put it simply everyone who’s given me feedback over the years to get me to this point have had an important impact. A lot of people have the misconception that there is not too much fitness involved with goal umpiring. However, what’s actually involved with fitness and match preparation for a goal umpire at the AFL level? Fitness wise we have a 3km time trial to run at the start of each year and during the season along with agility tests and beep tests. For the 3km trials we’re set individual times and we’re expected to make those times and make steady improvements throughout the year. Happy to report I’ve been under my required times! What advice do you have for anyone thinking of becoming an umpire? Be open and respond positively to feedback, in the end it can be what makes or breaks a potential umpire and just keep putting in the effort each week and the opportunities will present themselves.
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![]() In late 2013, the Community umpires started gathering down outside the Maritime Museum in South Brisbane to start their pre-Christmas fitness training. Very soon, a smiling and highly energetic young lady came walking down and immediately introduced herself to the group. Just over a year later, Belinda Stewart has emerged as a promising goal umpire, having been selected for both the Goal Umpire Academy and the NEAFL Goal Umpires panel. She has also become a very popular figure in the group thanks to high levels of happiness and energy on training nights and match days. How did you first become an umpire? I’ve had a pretty longstanding exposure to Australian Football as a direct result of two older brothers playing the game. I used to water carry, attend the scoreboard and eventually had a go as a goal umpire volunteer for their teams. I was helping out with a Brisbane State High School match, when an AFL Queensland match manager suggested that I jump on board with the umpiring program and soon enough I did. Has football been part of your life before becoming an umpire? Absolutely! My family is very involved in Aussie Rules and I had a few opportunities to play in mixed competitions in primary school. Although I didn’t play for club, I usually spent about four days a week at an AFL ground while my brothers were training. How long did it take for you to settle into the Community group? The group made it almost impossible for me to shy away. Even at the first training session, I had at least thirty umpires approach me to introduce themselves. Within a few weeks I felt totally at home with the group of umpires from all disciplines. The Goal Umpires in the Community group are a cluster of friendly, approachable and skilled individuals. In my first few weeks, each and every goal umpire gave me invaluable tips and tricks of the trade. With special mention to Allan Matheson, Danny Smith, Darryl Lyndon-Floate, Warren Derrick, Kyle Coleman and Shane Reiche, who really went above and beyond to foster my progress and development – thank you for your patience and tolerance. What was your first game like for you? How did it feel to walk out for your first game? Fortunately I was guided by the keen tutelage of a fellow umpire, Danny Smith. Danny truly made it difficult for me to feel nervous about my first game, even after I accidentally dropped my flags in the first quarter. Danny definitely took me under his wing with his tremendous professionalism and embodiment of enthusiasm. It suffices to say that Danny has been a sensational mentor and friend since. What has been the most memorable moment as far as an umpire? I would have to wind it down to having an opportunity to umpire at Metricon Stadium. The experience had me essentially bouncing off the walls before the game and the quality of the match was terrific. The team of umpires I was running with was very experienced, and took it upon themselves to encourage me into enjoying the game and feeling confident with my decisions. The atmosphere was very exciting and I’m positive I’ll remember it forever. Any particular coaches or umpires have an impact in your year as an Umpire? One thing is for certain; there is an obscenely long list. Whether it’s the fellow umpires at training getting me over the finish line, the trainers providing their assistance and care, or the coaches that strive to make you better at every opportunity, everyone has had a remarkable influence. Michael O’Donnell, however, has been a true landmark in my whole experience as a goal umpire. Michael has an unparalleled sense of compassion in his coaching, which has given me every confidence as an umpire. You started off as a first year umpire and you’ve now landed in the NEAFL panel. That is an amazing climb up the ranks! Where to from here? It’s certainly been a wonderful journey; Aussie Rules umpiring has treated me overwhelmingly well! At this point, my goal is to perform consistently in the games that I am appointed to this season. I’m overjoyed, humbled and eager to begin the home and away matches. My aim is to keep training hard, formulate good friendships with the umpires who work beside me and do the very best I can to deliver the correct decisioning for teams on game day. Also, it’s a personal ambition to get women more involved in AFL and AFL umpiring. What advice do you have for anyone thinking of becoming an umpire in Australian Football? It suffices to say, that my experience as a goal umpire has been nothing sheer of incredible. Umpiring, funnily enough, is brilliant for socializing. I sincerely believe that I’ve met some hilarious and considerate individuals. It is for this reason I suggest that people thinking about being an umpire should do their best to cherish the umpires around you, they’ve each got their innate story to share. Also, umpiring implicitly gives you an opportunity to grow as a person. Learning to take constructive criticism, endeavoring to beat personal bests, developing a sense of leadership and pride are all by-products of the umpiring profession. If you’re not certain whether umpiring is for you, my best advice is spreading a smile over your face and giving it a go to gauge for yourself whether you’ll enjoy it as much as I do. Just jump in, spread your wings and soar. |
Umpires Of the AFLQUAThe AFLQUA represents umpires all over Queensland who officiate in everything from the local community league on a Saturday afternoon, to the AFL. Archives
May 2016
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