I have received a detailed update on the state of health of esteemed Life Member and GFUL Hall of Famer, Harry Stapleton, but because of the personal and private nature of the information, am unable to post the details on the website. Harry is still very much alive despite some rumors to the contrary and I will be happy to share the information I have received with any GFUL Life Members or Members who are interested. Please get
in touch with me at the GFUL Rooms on 52298599 or on my Mobile 0409 356123.

Bill Fulton
General Manager
Geelong Football Umpires League

Two of the GFUL’s brightest young umpires have been given a tremendous opportunity to be mentored by a senior AFL Umpire with their inclusion in the AFLUA’s Mates Program for 2008.

The objectives of the program include:

The creation of an environment based on mutual respect and trust in which participants can develop a mateship with an AFL Umpire,

conduct activities through which the AFL Umpire can share his knowledge and experience with participants and deliver education and coaching through the implementation of a game plan, and

conduct activities that build the self esteem and confidence of the participants and encourages them to take pride in their role of umpiring Australian Rules Football.

Having been accepted into the program, Tim Callander and Jake O’Brien will be mentored by senior AFL Field Umpire Brett Rosebury throughout the 2008 season. Brett is an experienced AFL Field Umpire who umpired his first AFL game in 2000. He achieved his 100 AFL game milestone in the St Kilda v Western Bulldogs match at the Telstra Dome on 14th April 2007. He has umpired a total of 122 senior AFL games including 6 Finals at the end of the 2007 season.

On Saturday 23 February, the AFLUA hosted an Umpires Associations' Workshop at Rydges on Exhibition.   The purpose of the workshop was to explore the possibility of establishing a Statewide Communication Network of Umpiring Associations and to explore the range of opportunities that might result from such an initiative.

In addition, the workshop considered ways in which the AFLUA may be able to assist other Associations.   Attended by the representatives from 14 metropolitan and regional Associations, the workshop was voted an outstanding success.     The GFUL was represented at the Workshop by Brendan Beveridge (Chairman), Bill Fulton (General Manager) and Steve Keating (Director of Umpiring).

At the conclusion of the workshop, delegates agreed that the establishment of a communication network should be explored in detail and gave the AFLUA a mandate to prepare a proposal which would include several suggested models for consideration. 

Judging by the enthusiasm displayed throughout the workshop, a communication network appears to be a realistic idea.

Three GFUL teams, comprising 4 runners in each team, entered the Alcoa Corporate Team Relay Event at the TGM Barwon Banks Fun Run on Sunday 24th February.     The event, over 10 km, required each of the 4 runners in each team to complete a 2.5 km leg of the race.    The three GFUL teams completely dominated the event, finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd with only 10 seconds separating the first and third teams.    Outstanding performances were put in by all runners but particular praise must go to Mark Bushfield, Ross Marriner and Adam Bell, who each ran two legs of their teams relay to ensure the clean sweep result.

GFUL runners to compete in the event were:
First  (36 mins, 5 secs) – Adam Bell, Josh Neville, Nick Steel, Jarrad King
Second (36 mins, 8 secs) – Mark Bushfield, James Marriner, Jake Robertson, Mark Bushfield
Third (36mins,15secs) – Jake O’Brien, Ross Marriner, Ross Marriner, Adam Bell.