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!”

In an effort to achieve consistency and accuracy in decision making, there is an emphasis on understanding the “spirit of the laws” (i.e. the philosophies underlying the laws) and officiating according to the spirit of the laws.

Umpires are coached weekly and on match day in accordance with the Spirit of Laws.

The West Australian Football Commission is proud to announce that two WA umpires have been added to the AFL umpires list for the 2013 season.

Goal Umpire Luke Edwards, left, joins the squad for the first time and Boundary Umpire Nathan Doig re-joins after withdrawing in 2012 due to work commitments.

WAFC Umpire Talent Manager Paul Pitchers congratulated both umpires on their selection and wished them the best for their careers, saying both were highly deserving of the opportunity.

Mackenzie Edmonds of Swan Districts Junior Umpires has been selected to umpire an Auskick game at half time of the 2012 AFL Grand Final. Edmonds’ son of Swan District’s former champion player Travis was drawn out of the 9 WAFL metropolitan and regional districts who each nominated their best Green Shirt (first year) umpire.

This competition has been running for many years now thanks to the AFL and includes flights, accommodation and tickets to the game.  Since being advised of the news Mackenzie has not yet taken the smile off his face and equally excited was father Travis who gets to accompany Mackenzie to Melbourne.

The last 10 seasons have seen an increase in females in WAFL Umpiring.

Kendell Ball continues to lead the way as WA’s female leading flag waver since joining our team in 2003.

She is now an integral part of the female umpiring team at WAFL and two weeks ago, officiated in her 100^th League Game.

Lauren French recently travelled to Melbourne as our State representative at the Nationals 18’s championship and her performances were outstanding.

Lauren is in her seventh season and has umpired 40 league games.

Sally Boud joined our team six seasons ago and has shown enormous potential in her 14 league games to date.