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No Final Siren For Milestone Man With WhistleTuesday, August 8, 2023 - 2:33 PM
Just days before Peter Williams umpires his 1000th match the veteran whistleblower has no plans to retire from the game he loves.
A couple of months shy of his 62nd birthday, Williams reflects on the milestone and how his journey as an official began.
“It’s just another game, no different really to my 100th match,” Williams said.
“I was 13 when I went to the footy to watch Swan Districts and East Perth with my Dad Ron, who was the Little League manager for Swans.
“On this day they didn’t have an umpire, so I was asked to do it, and a I fell in love with it from early on.
“From then on, I’d umpire whenever I could for Little League and joined Swans Umpires in 1975, which was more than 47 years ago.
“I have done most field umpiring, with a few boundary roles in the early years and the occasional goal umpiring for the SDJUFA.
“Although I have done 500 Goals for the WAAFL/PFL, my 500th was only on 22nd July this year.”
Williams has explained his longevity in the game.
“The kids, whether umpiring them or mentoring the up-and-coming young umpires is very satisfying,” he said.
“The friendships you make are special and the Swans Junior Umpiring Association is like family, because everyone looks after everyone.
“The have been fantastic support, especially since losing my son Kevin in 2018.”
Williams is proud of being part of the umpiring fraternity with his family.
“Although I started umpiring in 1975, it’s been somewhat stop-start,” he said.
“I think I umpired until about 1990, and during this time I helped my Dad with Little League at Swans before taking charge at Perth Football Little League in 1991, finishing in 2000.
“I received Life Membership at Perth for my commitment to Perth Little League for 12 seasons.
“I returned to Swans Umpiring in 2001 where my son Kevin joined me, then my daughter Cass joined the next year.
“The family links continued when my daughter-in-law Sarah began as a goal umpire.
“Then last year, my 11-year-old grandson Ethain started umpiring boundary and field, and in 2024 my middle grandson Lachlan will join the Association.
“I have done 23 seasons this time around and hope to continue as long as my body holds up,” he said.
Peter Williams and his 1000th match.
Game details:
When: Sunday 13th August
Time: 2:40 pm
Where: Kostera Reserve
Teams playing: Kalamunda Year 10 vs Upper Swan Year 10
The Swan Districts Junior Umpire Football Association would like to acknowledge the support of the Metro Central Regional Development Council (RDC) in helping Peter celebrate the milestone.
To find out more about the WAFC’s campaign to show respect to umpires, click the link below.