Moora locals rub shoulders with AFL umpires

Locals in the Midlands town of Moora got the opportunity to rub shoulders with AFL umpires as part of the Annual AFL Umpire Roadshow event held on March 14.

AFL Boundary Umpire Ryan Kukura and AFL Field Umpire Dean Margetts made their way to the town as part of the initiative run by the AFL in partnership with the West Australian Football Commission (WAFC).

The event which has been running for the best part of a decade provides the opportunity for local regional communities to gain a closer insight into the role of an AFL umpire, including clarification around the laws and the skillset required.

Students from Central Midlands Senior High School were among 50 others who were provided with a hands-on experience in umpiring drills including bouncing the ball, throw-ins and flag waving.

WAFC Umpiring Regional Manager for the Midlands region Glen Collins said the visit will help boost the recruitment of young local umpires in the area.

“This visit by the AFL umpires will certainly help local initiatives recruit the young umpires into the football competitions in Moora and surrounding districts,” Collins said.

WAFC Manager Umpiring Pathways Tim Priest, who travelled with the AFL umpires, said the event is about educating local umpires in regional communities to enhance their skills and development.

“The evening session, which included coaching vision from AFL and community football matches, provided the local umpires in Moora an opportunity to take away some strategies to better manage their very important task of managing the game, particularly the player safety element.”

Photo: AFL Boundary Umpire Ryan Kukura, AFL Field Umpire Dean Margetts and WAFC Manager Umpiring Pathways Tim Priest with Central Midlands SHS students.