RECORD: 2015 UMPIRES WRAP
What a season of high and lows, new umpires, new coaches, old and new faces! We come to the penultimate weekend of season 2015. An exciting season at AFL Riverina Umpires so many great stories and many challenges faced.
Congratulations to all the umpires selected across the board as field, boundary and goal umpires across the Farrer and RFL’s Grand Finals. Congratulations to the Umpire Coaches Tim Beard, Trent Richards, Chris Tulk and Rick Firman on a massive effort and their brave selections across the home and away and finals series’. Last weekend’s matches were exciting with the bigger crowds and thrill of finals and I know the umpires enjoyed the experience.
Well done to the Farrer League Grand Final umpires and special mention to Wayne Sanbrook on receiving selection in the Farrer League Grand Final in his first season of umpiring at AFL Riverina Umpires in front of a massive crowd. His is a story of what can be achieved so early in an umpiring career and highlights the way forward at AFL Riverina Umpires. Anthony O’Halloran also deserves mention on his Grand Final selection in just his second season at AFL Riverina Umpires.
Looking back on the season it has been exciting with so much young talent and new faces in the umpiring ranks such as Matt Tom, Josh O’Donohue, Jake O’Halloran, Isaac Bloomfield, David Blanch, Paul McKelvie and Wayne Sanbrook. Having also witnessed first-hand the outstanding talent in the junior umpiring ranks the umpiring nursery at AFL Riverina Umpires looks bright going into season 2016 and beyond.
Congratulations to all this weekend and I hope it is a positive experience! To those who miss out on selection congratulations on a fantastic and much improved season for all at AFL Riverina Umpires. To all the umpires young and experienced we hope you continue on next year and continue to enjoy and improve you’re umpiring.
To the Farrer and RFL club coaches thank you for your support of the Umpire Liaison Coordinator position in season 2015 and your efforts to improve the lines of communication with the AFL Riverina Umpires.
Phil Willis
Umpire Liaison Coordinator
