Community Umpiring Week: Celebrating the Unsung Heroes of the GameFriday, May 10, 2024 - 7:55 AM

WA Football will celebrate the unsung heroes of our great game during Community Umpiring Week.
Community Umpiring Week highlights the integral role umpires play at all levels of the game and promotes the importance of respect for umpires.

On Friday night McKenzy Harris, along with five junior umpires will walk onto Optus Stadium alongside the AFL umpires prior to the Fremantle v Sydney bouncedown.

This is a dream come true for a young girl, who at the age of seven decided she wanted to become an umpire.
As a junior Mckenzy loved football, but it was at a West Coast Eagles v GWS game, where she experienced how the crowd treated umpires, that she decided she too wanted to become an umpire.

“I knew it was something I wanted to do, so I just did it, I waited and waited until I was old enough to join,” McKenzy recounted.

After joining Swan Districts Junior Football Umpires Association McKenzy quickly rose through the ranks from umpiring Modified Rules to boundary umpiring Year 9s.

Through the guidance of umpiring coaches and mentors, Mckenzy has the confidence to take to the field in front of parents and coaches and over 30 players to officiate games each weekend.

“The people, SDJFUA, the mentors and the other umpires are amazing, they are all so supportive and kind,” McKenzy said. 

“I was the youngest umpire at the club but even though most of our coaches and umpires are in their late teens and early 20s, and are boys, they never treated me like I didn't belong.

“From day one I was part of the team and they believed in me; it was a really nice feeling.”

Last year Mckenzy was rewarded with the Best Modified Rules/Junior Field Umpire of the Year Award.

The award is a reflection of her effort and love for umpiring.

“I love being right in the middle of the game (without having to play it),” she laughed.

McKenzy is excited to be taking part in Friday night’s AFL match between Fremantle v Sydney, where she will walk onto Optus Stadium with the AFL umpires prior to the game.

“I’m looking forward to being able to see how the umpires prepare and handle their nerves and excitement up close, and also being able to see the players up close as they get ready to play,” she said.

Throughout Community Umpiring Week, McKenzy encourages everyone who is part of the game to remember this.
“We are human, we are doing our best; teach your children to take the good calls with the bad and be good sports,” she said. 

“This is our job and we love, live and breathe it. 

“Be kind and respectful because we are a necessary part of the game that you all love.”

More information on becoming an umpire can be found here.