Matt Edwards 100 VFL Games

Posted on May 24, 2021 by admin

Matt Edwards 100 VFL Games

On Saturday evening the 1st of May at the Downer Oval, Matt Edwards became the 78th umpire in the VFUA era to reach the 100 game milestone when he officiated in the Williamstown-Port Melbourne grudge match. He also became the 20th Goal Umpire to reach the milestone and the second Goal Umpire from the Diamond Valley/Northern Football league to reach the milestone.

Matt joined the VFL in 2012 and later went onto make his debut in senior footy in 2014 when Coburg played Werribee at Piranha Park. Matt comes from an umpiring family with his father being a 300 game legend of the Diamond Valley League , and brother Jack also completing 100 VFL games either side of a stint at the AFL. Matt credits both his father and brother’s involvements in the game as a catalyst for getting him involved, and also notes the first senior game that he did with Jack at the VFL as being one of the favourite moments of his career.

A career that has included the 2016 TAC Cup GF, the 2017 VFL Dev League GF and being involved in AFLW the past 2 seasons which culminated in being the emergency for this years decider between Adelaide and Brisbane indicates a career to this point of consistency and solid performances week to week. When pressed for his favourite moment he said that there were too many to mention, but did point out his involvement in the numerous grand finals as being a highlight, and also being able to share his 100th game with his family in the rooms post match.

When asked if he has a favourite ground to umpire at he was adamant that ETU Stadium would be his favourite by the length of the Flemington straight. Contrary to this he would have to say that the Downer Oval would have to be his least favourite and one that he had managed to avoid for two years. This statement confused the author of this article especially considering that his requested game happened to be a night game at Williamstown and the last time Matt had done a night game at Williamstown game there was a torrential downpour. Thankfully for Matt and the author Williamstown managed to produce one of its more pleasant evenings.

Congratulations again Matt on the achievement of 100 VFL senior games!!!

Cyrus Wong Retires

Posted on May 3, 2021 by admin

Resilience, determination and persistence are just some of the many values that embody recent VFL Senior Goal Umpire retiree, Cyrus Wong. Cyrus’ 136 VFL Senior Games is an incredible effort spanning over a decade career at the VFL between the posts.

Failing the time trial in 2014 led to Cyrus embarking on a unique and physically demanding journey, that being running every current and defunct Melbourne train, tram and bus routes. This journey for Cyrus later led to him beating the time trial requirements and running those thousands of kilometres demonstrate his determination to overcome his previous challenges both physically and mentally.

I had the pleasure to run alongside Cyrus and former VFL Goal Umpire, Pete Balding in his final section of the public transport network which we will remember for many years to come. To see Cyrus’ face and reaction at the end of this journey was priceless.

I also had the pleasure to umpire alongside Cyrus in his final VFL match, held at what I would call his home away from home, Whitten Oval. Remaining professional and competent all the way to the final siren, it was a humbling experience to be there in person and I was extremely honoured to have had Cyrus choose me for his final game.

All the best for retirement Cyrus and for your future endeavours away from the VFL world.

– James Rizio

New Executive Appointment – Administrator

Posted on February 14, 2021 by admin

New Appointment – Administrator

WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021

The VFUA executive is thrilled to announce that Mr. Brad Noonan has been appointed as VFUA Administrator.

Brad has extensive experience in sports administration having worked previously in a number of roles including Football Victoria Administration Officer, General Manager of Northern Bullants, Assistant Football Manager at Carlton Football Club and Operations Manager at Big V Basketball.

Brad has previously officiated as an umpire in the VAFA and has been an AFL Official Timekeeper since 2010 which demonstrates his thorough understanding of the umpiring space.

The executive believes Brad’s appointment is a superb fit for the VFUA given his experience in sports administration and also his interest in umpiring.

Brad’s role will incorporate taking a lead role in planning activities and managing the administration of the VFUA

Matt Mahoney
President

– Ends-

New Executive Appointment: Members’ Representative

Posted on November 9, 2020 by admin

New Appointment – Members’ Representative

Monday 2 November 2020

The VFUA Executive is excited to announce that Mr. Peter Howe has been appointed as the Members’ Representative for the VFUA.

VFUA President Matt Mahoney said Peter was chosen after a competitive selection process. “The Executive is pleased to have attracted someone of Peter’s experience given the forthcoming changes that will impact our umpires during the next twelve months.”

Peter recently retired as Chief Executive Officer from the AFL Umpires’ Association after nearly 9 years at the helm during which time he negotiated the Collective Bargaining Agreement for AFL umpires and employment conditions for AFLW umpires. Peter also introduced a number of welfare programs and was an advocate for AFL umpires across a range of issues.

Prior to his employment with the AFLUA, Peter was AFL Umpires’ Assistant Coach from June 2003 to November 2011 and VFL Umpires’ Coach with the VFL from 1994 to 2003 so he brings to the role a deep knowledge of umpiring from a coaching and development perspective.

The Executive believes Peter’s appointment represents the perfect fit for the VFUA as he is well known within the umpiring community and has a good understanding of the history and current employment arrangements for our umpires.

Peter replaces Peter Kelly (PK) who has held a number of different leadership positions in his 28 years with the VFUA. PK is currently Manager, Operations and Member Engagement with the AFLUA and will now focus on that role. The Executive joins members in thanking PK for his terrific service to football covering many decades and wish him all the best into the future.

Matt Mahoney
President

VFUA Team of the Decade

Posted on September 7, 2020 by admin

2020 Virtual Finals Series – Team of the Decade

Calling all members & Victorian Umpiring supporters!

Each week during the abandoned 2020 VFL Finals Series we will be showcasing the best VFL umpires of the past decade, culminating in a #TeamOfTheDecade for the VFUA. #IsolationSeason

And we want you to vote!

How it will work:

Nominations for each discipline will be released each week of the “virtual finals series”
Individual Umpires will be nominated by the VFUA based on their career statistics & achievements
Facebook Voting Polls will be open Monday & close the following Saturday for that group
We encourage everyone to share their stories and facts about the Nominees on the page

https://www.facebook.com/groups/vfuateamofthedecade

Sam Stagg’s 1st AFL Game

Posted on June 11, 2020 by admin

Sam Stagg – 1st AFL Game

No-one could have anticipated umpiring your first AFL game in an empty stadium, but these are strange times indeed.

Sam Stagg’s career started with the Bendigo Umpires’ Association where he umpired the 2011 Loddon Valley Senior Grand Final and then went on to umpire the 2012 and 2013 Bendigo Football Grand Finals.

These appointments led to Sam moving to the VFL, where he started in 2014. Living in Bendigo meant that Sam commuted by train from Bendigo to Melbourne twice a week to attend training at Victoria Park, leaving home at 2.30pm and arriving home at 10.15pm.

Sam’s commitment and fitness paid off with him experiencing one of his career highlights in umpiring the 2019 VFL Grand Final as well as being recognised as the VFL’s Boundary Umpire of the Year. Sam was subsequently appointed to the AFL list and umpired his first AFL game between North Melbourne and St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Sunday 22 March 2020.

It took Sam a while to get into the game as he and Ian Burrows had none of the play in the first quarter. His first decision in AFL football occurred in the 2nd quarter with a boundary throw in about 48 metres from goal, as a result of a pretty straight forward spoil over the line.

Sam reflected on there being no crowds for his first game, “Yeah it’s very different. I’ve umpired VFL curtain raisers before at Marvel where there is pretty much no one in the crowd for a half or even Under 18 championship games with no one there, so l had experienced that aspect before. Probably the last 5 minutes of the game was when you noticed no one was there as North Melbourne came from behind and took the lead and held onto a 2-point win.”

Now that round one is behind him, Sam is like all other AFL umpires and is training alone. He says it is all about being self-motivated and maintaining your fitness so when we do resume l am ready to go. With this in mind, Sam is trying to keep his training the same or similar throughout the week as if he was in-season with the exception of no games at the weekend.

Sam has enjoyed a number of games leading up to his AFL debut. His first VFL game, first final, first grand final, then of course his first AFL game. However, if he had to pick one he felt the 2018 Preliminary Final between Williamstown and Box Hill would be his favourite with Box Hill sneaking home by one point.

One of his funnier moments in football was back in Bendigo when he was umpiring a match between Sandhurst and Maryborough at QEO Oval. Sam had made a tough call right in front of the grandstand and a Maryborough player didn’t agree with him and let him know about it. One of the Sandhurst players who he knew came up and bumped the Maryborough player telling him to “Leave him alone, he’s the best boundary umpire in Bendigo mate, l am sure it’s the right call.”

Sam loves being involved in football and being so close to the action. With an AFL career ahead of him, there is one thing that is certain in these uncertain times – he will see plenty of action in the years ahead once footy is back on the park. Congratulations Sam and best wishes for a great career ahead.

Clickety Jesse: A series of unfortunate ankles

Posted on May 29, 2020 by admin

Jesse Wilkie – VFL Senior Boundary Umpire

First started umpiring with?
Riddell Umpires
What made you take up umpiring?
I had a pretty nasty head injury (not football related). Wanted to stay involved in footy so I started umpiring.
Career highs or lows?
High: Umpiring in an AFLW grand final.
Lows: The early morning starts where they are scraping the ice off the ground before the game starts. One particular match in Werribee comes to mind.
Most memorable umpiring moment
Two in particular stand out: I got to run around on what was then Etihad stadium with some absolute legends of the game during filming of Foxtel’s ‘the recruit.’
Pretty tough to top the last two minutes of the first AFLW grand final, tight finish with a great atmosphere.
Most forgettable umpiring moment?
I failed to pack a whistle before departing to the Gold Coast for the U16 champs.
Most influential coach/mentor in umpiring?
One decision from a coach has had a huge influence on my umpiring.
Having umpired the Senior RDFL grand final in 2013, Cameron Black didn’t select me for the senior RDFL grand final in 2014, whilst it hurt at the time I definitely have to thank Blacky for this as it acted as a big motivator in subsequent seasons.
Best advice given to you early on in your career?
Pump your arms – Thomo
Most influential fellow umpiring peer?
Kyle Fisher started down at local league a year or two before myself, in my first year i tried to emulate his previous season, then the next season i wanted to be able to match it with him.
What do you like most about being an umpire?
There are so many great benefits, can’t knock the experiences I have been given along the journey, namely the national U16 carnival on the gold coast.
What can you not go without doing on match day?
No real superstitions but I like to listen to The Howie Games on my way to a game.
Favourite sport besides footy?
Golf
What’s your best sporting experience outside of footy?
Standing front row of the crowd for Winx’s fourth Cox Plate was pretty special.
Watching Adam Scott win the Masters (on TV) was also a highlight.
What are the benefits of being a VFUA member?
The VFUA does a great job of keeping members informed, especially in current times with so much uncertainty. They provide the opportunity to celebrate the season at the VFUA ball and the whole team are willing to work so hard for all members.
What’s your occupation/day-job?
Container Control/ISO Tank Surveyor
Favourite food?
Crumbed lamb cutlets.
Favourite movie?
Happy Gilmore
3 people you’d like to have dinner with?
James Hird, Sally Fitzgibbons and Brendon Gale
Favourite holiday destination
Every good holiday has a beach, Torquay and the Gold Coast are regulars.
Most admired person, why?
It’s too difficult to pick just one, they don’t have a public profile but RW, DR, GC and CC have had huge influences on my life and I often look at them in admiration for their work ethic and demeanour.

A Marathon Effort on a Tennis Court

Posted on May 22, 2020 by admin

A Marathon Effort on a Tennis Court

Life Member Russell “Rusty” Davidson

In normal times, Easter Monday was reserved for recovering from family gatherings, eating and drinking too much and plonking oneself in front of the TV for a footy game at the G.

In 2020, school holidays were different with many restrictions in place and families struggling with things to keep their children entertained. Former VFL umpire and VFUA President Russell Davidson, with 3 children, set them a challenge. Run a marathon which is a combination of 605 laps of the backyard tennis court in 2 weeks and he’d run a marathon himself.

Suffice to say they didn’t get anywhere near meeting the challenge, so Russell decided to do it himself on Easter Monday.

Had he prepared? According to Rusty, “Ah no.” He was planning to run the Melbourne Marathon in October so had been doing a bit of training but certainly nothing that had prepared him for a marathon.

He described the experience of running 605 laps of his tennis court as certainly different. “There wasn’t a lot of change in scenery.” Rusty set off at 7am and had his kids there for the majority of the time, counting laps, playing loud tunes, running with him and shouting encouragement.

The toughest part was the constant twisting and turning. Rusty admits his knees, back and hips took a pounding, “A regular run through the streets is generally in a straight line so you can build up a bit of momentum. No such chance on the tennis court. A few strides and it’s time to turn again.” He says mentally he was fine and that he changed direction every 50 laps and made sure he walked a lap every time he turned around.

Having no time pressures meant he could take as long as he liked. He was pretty determined so there was no way he wasn’t going to get it done!

Initially he pulled up pretty sore, particularly in the lower back and legs. However, unlike other marathons he has run, he was back up and running a few days later and felt fine.

This was Rusty’s fifth marathon. He has run two Melbourne marathons with a PB of 2.50 in 2003, one in Sydney and one as part of the Australian Ironman in 2016. He admits his backyard marathon was harder than any of his previous marathons although the pain he experienced in the ironman does compare.

He still has his ambitions set on running the Melbourne marathon in October this year, however he thinks it might fall victim to COVID-19 restrictions. Otherwise, he will be busy umpiring in the APS/AGSV school boy competitions and coaching the VAFA Senior field umpires later this year.

Congratulations Rusty on a ‘marathon’ effort and we wish you continued success in your coaching and running endeavors in the year ahead.

Bailing With Bailes

Posted on May 16, 2020 by admin

Peter Bailes (#22) – VFL Senior Field Umpire

First started umpiring with?
Moorabbin Saints Junior Football League (now the SMJFL)
What made you take up umpiring?
For the cash money!
Career highs or lows?
Youngest to ever umpire a VAFA A grade grand final would be a high, low point would be not being able to see all my mates at training twice a week in 2020.
Most memorable umpiring moment
Sitting the bench for an AFL game
Most forgettable umpiring moment
Falling on my ass after backing out from a ball up at Windy Hill
Most influential coach/mentor in umpiring?
Tony Hales
Best advice given to you early on in your career?
Listen to every bit of advice given to you, then choose what you do with it.
Most influential fellow umpiring peer?
Andrew Heffernan and Dan Butcher
What do you like most about being an umpire?
Having a locker next to Jack Edwards at training
What can you not go without doing on match day?
After crossing the centre circle, I take 3 steps and my 3rd step (always the left foot) I blow my whistle to test if it’s working
Favourite sport besides footy?
Basketball or golf
What’s your best sporting experience outside of footy?
Leading the scoring title in the Sandringham Basketball Association’s men’s C grade Tuesday night basketball
What are the benefits of being a VFUA member?
I don’t have enough time to write them.
The constant communication from the senior field track rep, the support he gives the group and the way he delivers information is probably top of the list
What’s your occupation/day-job?
Science and maths teacher at Brighton Secondary College
Favourite food?
My aunty Karen’s spaghetti with meatballs and sauce. She’s Italian so that’s a given
Favourite movie?
Avengers. All of them.
Favourite artist/band?
Harry Styles right up there. Post Malone and Fall Out Boy close second.
3 people you’d like to have dinner with
Kim Jong-Un, Donald Trump and Boris Johnson
Favourite holiday destination
Victoria Park
Most admired person, why?
Matt Mahoney, because there’s nothing the man can’t do.

Eager to know Steger?

Posted on May 9, 2020 by admin

Adam Steger – Development Goal Umpire

First started umpiring with?
WRFL in 2012
What made you take up umpiring?
To stay involved with football after I quit playing. Also good way to earn some pocket money!
Career highs or lows?
Career high would have to be umpiring my first AFLW game this year! Career low would be getting my dates mixed up and not turning up to a game.
Most memorable umpiring moment
First Division 1 SNR GF at the WRFL. First time I had umpired in front of a decent sized crowd!
Most forgettable umpiring moment
Probably rocking up to a game with dirty boots.
Most influential coach/mentor in umpiring?
Paul Battaglia from the WRFL, with over 400 DIV 1 SNR games, he took me under his wing and showed me how to improve to get me to where I am today.
Best advice given to you early on in your career?
Be a sponge. Absorb any advice anyone gives you.
Most influential fellow umpiring peer?
Not sure, everyone is influential in their own way.
What do you like most about being an umpire?
Having a front row seat
Favourite sport besides footy?
Tough. Either Motorsport (F1 & Supercars) or Cricket!
What’s your best sporting experience outside of footy?
Winning a Cricket Senior Grand Final.
Favourite food?
Comfortably a Parma
Favourite movie?
Rush
Favourite artist/band?
Morgan Wallen or Kygo
3 people you’d like to have dinner with
Razor Ray, Steve Smith, Daniel Ricciardo
Favourite holiday destination
Queensland, love going up there to see family