On Friday the 4th of April 2025 at DSV Stadium, Williamstown. James Rizio joined the luxurious club of VFUA personnel to officiate 100 games. The match was played between Williamstown and the Frankston Dolphins. A night where it was not like a normal Williamstown gust of wind and cold rush coming off the bay, it was a calm night and warm enough that both goal umpires went the long sleeves for the entirety of the match!  Supported by fellow officiating umpire and VFUA President Joon-Yip Wong, also attending fellow umpires, friends and family. James officiated with his normal touch of class and professionalism, signaling off 9 goals and 13 behinds in Williamstown’s 11-point win over the Dolphins.

A career that kicked off in the Eastern Football League in season 2016, with many thanks to Cal Thornton (Also a Current VFL Goal Umpire) for convincing James to go from field to goal umpiring, James spent his first couple of years there and in 2017 got the call to join the state league level for the beginning of 2018.

James has certainly been an asset at the state level with his quiet first 100 VFL games, who has the following VFL honors which include the 2022 and 2024 VFL Grand Finals, 2023 Coates League Grand Final whilst also officiating in the 2022 AFLW Grand Final and before that, the 2019 NAB League Grand Final even acquired the 2017 International Cup Grand Final which was held at the MCG.

Certainly, a notable favorite amongst the umpire ranks and a strong role model for the up-and-coming umpires to look up to both at the state league level and local levels, especially for the Eastern Football League who the umpires James had grown up with showed their support leading up to the match.

Congratulations on the 100 games Riz!