WAFC leads the way for young aspiring multicultural umpiresTuesday, December 1, 2015 - 2:51 PM

More than 50 students from diverse backgrounds had the opportunity to experience life as an AFL umpire and test their umpiring skills at Domain Stadium on Wednesday, November 18, as part of the Umpiring Diversity Academy Program.

Students from Clontarf College, Coodanup College, Gilmore College and Cecil Andrews Senior High School took part in field, goal and boundary umpiring clinics over the six-week program headed by Umpire Development Manager Dean Margetts, Senior Competitions Talent Pathways Manager Tim Priest and WAFL Umpire Manager Darryl Sinclair.

The program ran off the back of a $10 000 grant the AFL provided to the West Australian Football Commission to invest in including more multicultural umpires in the state's umpiring system.

Community Engagement Manager Paul Mugambwa said the program provides another avenue for students from diverse communities to be involved in football beyond that of playing the game.

"We have been amazed by the turnout and enthusiasm that the program has generated and are now looking forward to taking it further and linking youth from diverse communities to the existing umpiring pathway, " Mr Mugambwa said.

Umpire Development Manager Dean Margetts says the focus of the program is to identify a handful of students who have the ability to umpire at the WAFL level.

"The focus and challenge is to take this 'feel good day' and transition that into more umpires at the district level to service matches heading into 2016," Mr Margetts said.

Cecil Andrews SHS student Bruno Faulkner attended the three clinics offered through the program and said it had been a really eye-opening experience.

"We do a lot of football at school from a player and coach perspective and the umpiring program offers something a bit different. I have learnt how to umpire from the boundary, field and goal and how to assess free kicks."

Dean Margetts said the energy and buy into the sessions had been outstanding and is hoping to have some umpires lined up for upcoming football carnivals like the Nicky Winmar Cup which kicks off in March.

"Once the kids return to school in 2016 we will be running a refresher course, to maintain the momentum we have generated so far."

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