Junior Umpires get a taste of the big timeWednesday, June 3, 2015 - 1:52 PM

FOUR junior umpires spent a day in the life of an AFL Umpire at Domain Stadium recently as part of the 2015 Community Umpiring Round.

Morgan Ramsden and Basil Thomas from the Demon’s District and Denzel More and Sean Henry from the Swan’s District joined the AFL Umpires team for the West Coast v Gold Coast game on May 16, where they had the chance to spend time in the rooms and see the preparations of the Umpires.

They also received the opportunity to try on the umpires’ microphone vest, walk onto the ground with their parents, and then lead the umpiring team onto the field where they shook hands with West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson and stood behind Federal Minister Julie Bishop for the coin toss.

Denzel More, from the Swan Districts Junior Football Umpire Association said it was an amazing opportunity and an experience he would never forget.

“I am very honoured and privileged to have been selected for this opportunity by Andrew Hayes and Peter Gurney,” he said.

“It was a fantastic insight to watch the preparation involved and be out on the oval an hour prior to the game. Then to have the opportunity to be inside the AFL umpire change rooms,  to chat and watch the umpires prepare and also to see the match-day vest was all really interesting.

“I really appreciate all the umpires making time to allow me to share this rare insight, it was amazing.

“It was a magic feeling walking out. I was thinking wow, I am leading the AFL Umpires out on the field – this is a really awesome moment, and one I will never forget! 

“I would like to send a huge thank you everyone involved with the AFL umpiring family for allowing me to be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The experience was part of a nation-wide initiative for Community Umpiring Round, which aims to promote the importance of community umpires in the development of the game.

Anyone interested in umpiring can register their interest at www.getinthegame.com.au or contact West Australian Football Commission Umpire Development Manager Dean Margetts on (08)9381 5599.

Photo: AFL Umpire Dean Margetts, centre, with Morgan Ramsden and Basil Thomas (Demon’s District) and Denzel More and Sean Henry (Swan’s District).