Rafferty’s RulesWednesday, May 29, 2013 - 1:04 AM

There are many characters in footy across all levels of the game including at Amateur level. One such person is umpire Seamus Rafferty.

An umpiring stalwart in WA, Rafferty has experienced success as an official whilst managing a busy life outside of umpiring.

He started umpiring in 1988 following an approach by then Claremont junior umpiring coach Bob Lee.

Rafferty, known for his sense of humour including at his own expense, commented: "Bob must have seen me playing juniors and realised I would make a better umpire than player!"

Rafferty’s natural talent for umpiring was identified and within two years he was umpiring WAFL colts as a young 16 year old. WAFC Manager Senior Competitions umpiring Tim Priest, who umpired with Rafferty in the WAFL, recalled: "Seamus was the youngest umpire on the WAFL field umpire panel, but he certainly wasn’t one for taking a backward step in the friendly banter amongst his fellow umpires, many of whom were twice his age."

Rafferty who was by his own admission "a bit of a scallywag in his teenage years", decided in 1993 that after umpiring WAFL for four years the WAAFL would better suit.

With his distinctive red hair, Rafferty was soon equally well known amongst the Amateur competition for his firm but fair and highly competent umpiring skill. He was rewarded by field umpiring three consecutive A Grade Grand Finals. (2000, 2001, 2002)

The same characteristics displayed by Rafferty as an umpire have held him in equally good stead as a practising solicitor.

Rafferty, who since 2009 to the present has represented the accused in the criminal courts, commenced as a State Prosecutor at the DPP from 2001 to 2009. For much of that time umpiring largely took a back step.

But the busy family man, with two young children, decided in 2011 to rejoin the WAAFL umpire panel to regain some fitness.

Priest cited Rafferty as one of the great contributors to the WAAFL.

"The WAAFL is very fortunate to have someone of Seamus’ experience still involved, as he offers terrific confidence to younger umpires. This experience at WAAFL level is critical as we develop umpires along the pathway to WAFL and AFL, coupled with the fact Amateur matches can at times be extremely challenging to officiate.

"Seamus is a high quality mentor and person, and we rate highly his contribution on and off the field."

Rafferty holds additional responsibility as an official honorary investigator for the WAAFL, called upon to adjudicate complaints made by clubs for on and off field incidents that are not the subject of reports by umpires.

Beyond football, he is Deputy Chairman of the Liquor Commission and Chairman of the Combat Sports Commission. The former role involves determining applications and disciplinary matters pursuant to the Liquor Control Act 1988, whilst the latter involves overseeing all combat sports in the state and ensuring compliance with the Act.

Rafferty cites his Umpiring, Solicitor and Board roles as all requiring "the ability to make good decisions in situations where there are ramifications as to the decision that you make, to be mentally alert, to have an understanding of human nature and a good sense of humour."