The VFL have recognised what we have known for several years, Jarrad King and Stephen Williams have extraordinary Umpiring talent.   Both Jarrad (Boundary) and Stephen (Goal) umpired in the 2006 Senior GFL Grand Final between St Josephs and South Barwon and were both nominated by the GFUL to attend the VFL Trials held earlier this year during which, both were accepted into the VFL Squad.

In the short time that they have been with the VFL, both 19 year olds, have exceeded all expectations and excelled to such an extent that they will both umpire their first Senior VFL game this weekend 11th August. Jarrad will run the Boundary in the Werribee v Port Melbourne game at Werribee, whilst Stephen will be between the posts in the Box Hill v Sandringham clash at Box Hill.   It is an extremely unique achievement for one new umpire to be appointed to a senior game in their first year with the VFL, but to have two, both from the GFUL,  appointed to a senior match in their first year on the same day is very rare indeed.

The GFUL are extremely proud of their achievements and extend our sincere congratulations to Jarrad and Stephen whom we will no doubt see in the AFL in the not too distant future.
 

President of the Geelong Football Umpires League Life Members Association, Mick Robinson, has achieved a very impressive and extensive record of football and umpire related activities during his lifetime.   In addition to his current role as President of the GFUL Life Members Association, the 70 year old has crammed a great deal more into his life than any ordinary person could possibly imagine.   He has been an umpire, player, administrator, currently sits on the Geelong & District Football League Tribunal and more recently, has become a football special comments radio broadcaster with the Football Geelong Media team.     If this is not enough for one man, especially a 70 year old, Mick has added another string to his bow by stepping out of retirement, after a 35 year lay off, to umpire the Reserve Grade game between Newcomb and Anglesea on Saturday 4th August.

Mick had wandered down to Newcomb’s home ground to watch one of his old clubs when news filtered around the club that the normal Newcomb Reserves Club Umpire was unavailable and after the club had exhausted all options to find a replacement, Mick quickly stuck up his hand.   The last time Mick had umpired a game was back in 1972, 35 years ago when he was half the age he is now, and had never umpired in a two umpire system.   Fortunatley the Anglesea Club Umpire had been a former GFUL Umpire and was able to help Mick understand the “new” two umpire system. 

Mick said that it was a terrific game played in the right spirit of grass roots footy and that he had really enjoyed it.   Mick was also pleased with the sportsmanship shown by both clubs and the very sporting gesture by some of the players in shaking his hand after the game.

Any thought of a permanent comeback has been put on hold until Mick recovers from the stiffness which settled in after the game.  Perhaps another lengthy spell of around 35 years before his next game would be in order.

The Bellarine Football League Finals commence on Saturday 18th August, followed by the Geelong & District on 25th August and the Geelong Football League on 1st September.     To kick start the beginning of the 2007 Finals Series’, the GFUL are holding a Finals Launch Dinner in the Popescu Room, located in the northen side of the new stand at Skilled Stadium (access via the ramp), on Thursday 16th August, commencing at 7:00pm.

Guest speakers will be our No 1 Ticket Holder, Andrew Bews, and/or AFL National Umpiring Development Manager, Adrian Panozzo.   The cost of the Dinner will be $10 per head paid in advance to Bill Fulton no later than Tuesday night.   Drinks at Bar Prices.

All members are encouraged to attend and make the dinner as extremely successful as it has been in the past few years. 

Whilst visiting in South Australia last weekend 4th August 2007, I noted this story in the Adelaide Advertiser and thought it would make interesting reading on our website considering our recent female umpiring successes and the Major League Senior debuts of Leigh Davis and Jacqui Johnston in the Bellarine Football League in recent weeks.

Bill Fulton

The article written by ROB MALINAUSKAS, from the Adelaide Advertiser, appeared in the Saturday 4th August 2007 edition of the newspaper as follows:

SARAH Jameson will make Australian football history today, becoming the first woman recorded to officiate at an A-grade match in South Australia.

The TAFE student, 19, will umpire the senior match between Freeling and Gawler Central in the Barossa, Light and Gawler League.

Although Jameson, who has been umpiring lower grades since 2004, has a few pre-match nerves, she feels she is ready for the challenge.   ``I don't think I will be treated any differently because I have been umpiring for a while now, so the players tend to treat me as one of the guys,'' she said.

Jameson expects the biggest adjustment will be the pace of the game.   ``I have been umpiring at least two games a day for a while so that should help me out a bit,'' she said.

SANFL State Umpiring Manager Shane Harris said, to his knowledge, it would be the first time a woman field umpire officiated in an A-grade game, either in country or metropolitan football.   ``I think there should be a lot more of it,'' he said.   ``Hopefully, Sarah will act as a pioneer and other women will want to follow in her footsteps in the near future.''

Jameson, who also has played first-class cricket for the SA Scorpions, said she does not see herself as a pioneer.   ``I don't like thinking about it as a first for women, I just want to go out there and umpire well,'' she said.