Junior Umpires Recognised for ExcellenceWednesday, September 27, 2023 - 11:43 AM

Dozens of WA’s most talented umpires have been recognised as part of the 2023 Junior Umpire Awards Nights held in September.

WAFC Junior Umpiring Coordinator Courtney Gibson is excited about the quality of emerging whistleblowers in the state.

‘The junior umpire awards nights in September were a wonderful celebration of young talent and dedication in the field of umpiring,” Gibson said.

“The awards covered a wide range of categories, honouring achievements such as Best First Year, Encouragement Awards, and even awards named after local umpiring district legends.

“The event also recognized the best and most promising umpires, highlighting their exceptional skills and potential.

“In addition to the various categories of awards, it was also worth noting that some of the winners are part of state league development squads or on a trajectory to be selected in the near future.

“This further underscored the exceptional talent and potential displayed by these young umpires.

Their recognition at the awards nights served as a testament to their dedication, skill, and the bright future that lies ahead for them in the field of umpiring.”

Below are the winners.

Claremont Award Winners

Modified's Awards

Most Dedicated – Josh Chapman

Most Improved – Lulu Brickland

Best First Year – Micaela Buddle

Youth’s Awards

Most Dedicated – Mitch Gernon

Most Improved – Cy Dyson

Best First Year – Jeremy Flavel

Parents Award - Jason Coutinho & Seamus Gernon

Norm Brown Best Clubman Award- Samson Wheeler

Dyer Best Umpire Award - Kieran Todd

Best Female Umpire - Olivia Makin

Lifetime Members Inductee- Jean-Pierre Chedid (10 years of service)

Golden Whistle Winner – Jack Coutinho

 

East Fremantle Award Winners

President’s Award: Isaac Pavy

Association Award: Ella Spinks

Luke Farmer Shield: Toby Riches

Jeff Dalgliesh Shield: Jamie Richardson

RDC Award: Mitch Kerr & Isabel Moss

Max Freeman Shield: Kai Samers

Golden Whistle: Lachlan Russell

 

East Perth Award Winners

Ellenbrook Best First Year – Aiden Elliott

Ellenbrook Most Improved Umpire – Jacob Sykes

Ellenbrook Most Dedicated Umpire – Tory Dennis

Ellenbrook Umpire of the Year – Ethan Dutaillis

Best First Year Goal Umpire – Alfie Brown

Most Improved Goal Umpire – Conor Boland

Most Dedicated Goal Umpire – Kate Morrone

Goal Umpire of the Year – Hayden Bettini

Modifieds Best First Year Umpire – Will Petchell

Modifieds Most Improved Umpire – Eames Bond

Modifieds Most Dedicated Umpire – Cody Kennett

Coaches Award – Harrison Day

Coaches Award – Imogen Biddle

Warren Haley Modifieds Umpire of the Year – William Day

Open Rules Best First Year – William Blyte

Open Rules Most Improved – Nicholas Bowden-Jones

Open Rules Most Dedicated –Luke Perlini

Coaches Award – Jack Rolfe

Golden Whistle – William Eames

EPJFUA Trainers Award - Coby Zincke

John Kacuiba Best Clubman Award - Lauchlan Biddle

Metro Central Regional Development Council Awards of Excellence – Sarah Burton/Caiden Stevenson

 

Peel Award Winners

Peel (Juniors) - Kyan Brown

Peel (Youth) “Stuart Froggatt Golden Whistle” - Cohen Ribbans

 

Perth Award Winners

Umpire of the Year – William Turner

Red & Black Medal – Connor Hall

Modified Rules Squad – Most Valuable Umpire – Asher Noonan

Rising Star Award – Parker O’Brien

Coaches’ Award – Modified Rules Squad – Aidan Sullivan

Coaches’ Award – Open Rules Squad – Robert Moore

Most Improved Umpire – Modified Rules Squad – Viktor Eszenyi

Most Improved Umpire  - Open Rules Squad – Aidan Brennan

Encouragement Award – Modified Rules Squad – Lachlan McGrath

Encouragement Award – Open Rules Squad – Toby Crestani

Dean Margetts & Brett Rosebury Trophy – Riley Wilson

 

South Fremantle Award Winners

The Forsyth Manson First Year Coach's Award - Xavier Zammit

The Matt Adams Best First Year Umpire - Oliver Ruocchio

The Procter Howard Most Improved Open Rules Umpire - Liam Miller

The Camporeale Hooper Open Rules Coach's Award - Balin McLeod

South Metro Regional Development Council Umpire of the Year - Jazmine Williams & Luke Holt

The Golden Whistle - Jasper Adams

 

Swans Award Winners

Coaches’ Award – Travis Walters

Best First Year Umpire Award – Kieran Haddock

Junior Football Encouragement Award – Patrick Martin

Boundary Umpire Encouragement Award – Taj Thregold

Best Boundary Umpire Award – Jack Girven

Most Improved Umpire – Ethain Jankauskas

The Marika Lynn Hinchliffe Memorial Goal Umpire Encouragement Award – Eathan Dunstall

Sav Borg Clubman Award – Deklan Burns

Brett Rogers Goal Umpires Award – Matthew Daivs

Dale Donnes Umpire of the Year Award – Bray Loveridge

The Kevin Williams Memorial Mentor of the Year Award – Andrew Burns

Laycock Golden Whistle Award – Jack Girven

The “Frazer” Award – Adrain Dunstall

Junior Field Umpire of the Year – McKensy Harris

 

West Perth Award Winners

Best First Year - Alex Brown

Rookie Umpire of the Year - Cooper Shepperbottom

Player-Umpire of the Year - Hayden Covington

Most Improved Umpire - Kavanagh Wild

Dave “Dicko” Dickson Association Award - Ben Allen

Mark Vivian Encouragement Award - Riley Stephens

Jordy Wright Coaches Award - Harry Clayton

Golden Whistle - Lilly Spocter

Merigan Medal for Umpire of the Year - Ethan Davies

 

The new award this year was the Metro Regional Development Council Award – Umpire of the Year.

This award celebrated the cultural leaders in each group, one male and female for every junior district.

These award winners will be celebrated at the Awards of Excellence.

 

West Perth – Lilly Spocter & Ethan Davies

Subiaco – Amelia Miles & Kristian Pugh

Claremont – Olivia Makin & Kieran Todd

Swans – Cassidy Bodenham & Nick Italiano

East Perth – Sarah Burton & Caiden Stevenson

Perth – Isabel Satti & William Turner

East Fremantle – Isabel Moss & Mitch Kerr

South Fremantle – Jazmine Williams & Luke Holt

Peel – Jorja Tournay & Maison Wheatley

 

The West Australian Football Commission congratulates the winners of the 2023 Junior Umpire Awards at their respective clubs.