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.