Local Umpires ShineMonday, September 12, 2022 - 11:38 AM

A former American basketball legend helped inspire Cam Jones win this season’s Montgomery Medal at the annual WANFLUA Awards night. 

After launching his WAFL career in 2016, Jones was named Field Umpire of the year. 

“I’m extremely honoured to win such a prestigious award. 

Many current and former greats of WA umpiring have been recipients of this award and I feel privileged to be recognised in this way. 

Externally, umpires generally aren’t thought of too fondly, however within the four walls there’s no environment more supportive or enjoyable and I absolutely love it,” Jones said. 

The Montgomery Medallist revealed a senior WA umpire helped improve his game-day preparation. 

“At the beginning of pre-season late last year I had a frank conversation with Jeff Dalgleish (current AFL Field Umpire) who told me it was time to stop promising and start delivering. 

He instilled the belief in me that I was capable of something like this and I’m glad that I was able to prove myself and Jeff right. 

I put in extra training over the summer months and reaped the benefits of being fitter and stronger than ever. 

We’ve been very fortunate this year to have a high calibre coaching group. 

I owe so much to them for the time and energy they’ve put into me and our entire group,” he said. 

Jones used a quote from an NBA great to assist him with his pre-match routine this year.  

“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey” is part of a speech that Kobe Bryant made before he sadly lost his life?and I have played this snippet before each game I’ve umpired this year.  

This is another part of that journey for me?and hopefully one day I can achieve my ambitions of umpiring at the highest level,” Jones said. 

The Carter Medal for Best Goal Umpire for the season was awarded to Chad Smith. 

“I’m extremely grateful to be recognised. 

This year has seen me make significant choices in my life to push myself in the right direction for my umpiring. 

I think it’s important for me to recognise that I see this award as not a personal achievement, but the result of a collective effort from many of those around me. 

 I never thought as a 14-year-old when I first walked through the doors that I would be in this position, so this is extremely humbling,” Smith said. 

The Devine Medal for Boundary Umpire of the Year was awarded to Ethan Lamont. 

“I’m incredibly honoured to win the Devine Medal. 

Not only are there some incredible boundary umpires in the WAFL but looking at some of the names on the list of past winners, they are idols and people I look up to and strive to emulate. 

To know my name is included in the same list is something that is extraordinary to me and something I take great pride in.  

This season has been a special one for me. 

I’ve never enjoyed my umpiring as much as I have this year, and special moments such as being able to umpire a senior game with my brother and sister is a memory I’ll never forget. 

In terms of ambitions moving forward the focus is on the next 4 weeks and trying to stake my claim for a Grand Final. 

In the future I would love to umpire in the AFL, so ultimately that’s the long-term goal,” Lamont said. 

At the beginning of his umpiring journey, 18-year-old goal umpire Lachlan Bettini was named the 2022 Rising Star. 

Lachlan is in his fifth year of officiating after starting as a field umpire in the East Perth District Junior Football Umpires Association. 

“I feel incredibly honoured to have won the award this year. 

Having a look through some of the names on the trophy and seeing my name next to AFL and AFLW umpires, as well as WAFL league grand final umpires is an incredible honour.? 

I’ve been incredibly proud of the season and the way I’ve performed. 

Before the start of the season, I set myself three goals, to umpire at a consistently high level, to umpire WAFLW League finals and to umpire at least 10 WAFL matches, all of which I achieved,” Bettini said. 

 

2022 AWARD WINNERS  

 

2022 Rising Star 

Award Winner – Lachlan Bettini 

 

Hendrie Margetts – Development Squad Field Umpire of the Year 

Award Winner – Jai Crowhurst 

 

Doig Dalgleish– Development Squad Boundary Umpire of the Year 

Award Winner – Dane Smith 

 

Boud Rogers– Development Squad Goal Umpire of the Year 

Award Winner – Owen Brown 

 

Mike Ball Talent Academy Field Umpire of the Year 

Award Winner – Ryan Harrison 

 

Greg Smith Talent Academy Boundary Umpire of the Year 

Award Winner – Justin Davies 

 

Shawcross Talent Academy Goal Umpire of the Year 

Award Winner – Cadmon Cocliff 

 

Most Improved Goal Umpire – David Shawcross Medal 

Award Winner – Neve Worthy 

 

Most Improved Boundary Umpire – Greg Smith Medal 

Award Winner – Zac Reed 

 

Most Improved Field Umpire – Brett Rosebury Medal 

Award Winner – Blake Evans 

 

UMPIRE OF THE YEAR MEDALS 

 

Carter Medal – Goal Umpire of the Year 

Award Winner – Chad Smith 

 

Devine Medal – Boundary Umpire of the Year 

Award Winner – Ethan Lamont 

 

Montgomery Medal – Field Umpire of the Year 

Award Winner – Cam Jones