It’s a grand final whistle stop tour
THE 2016 AFL grand final will see millions of footy fans across the country drop everything to witness the action but one local umpire will be in full swing on the big day.
Jack Norris, 13, will be involved in the grand final parade and will officiate an AusKick match. The aspiring umpire has loved officiating since he was five.
“Umpiring was something I always wanted to do. Mum saw an article in the paper and I finally got my chance,” Norris said.
“I used to umpire the lunch time footy at school. Everyone else wanted to play but I loved umpiring the action.”
Norris said watching local umpires in the area inspired him.
“I used to love watching Stuart Bott. He is a huge role model for me,” he said.
“I also loved watching the umpires on TV. I would love to do that some day.
‘‘I can’t wait to be part of the grand final experience,’’ Norris said.
“I was pretty stoked when I was picked to be part of it all. It’s a dream come true for me.
“I can’t wait get out there and do what I love in front of a big crowd.”
Norris said he owed his achievements to the great coaches and mentors he had.
“Brett Hancock, Andrew Moore, Ben Munro, Stuart Bott and Ian Goldrick have all been big parts of my umpiring career,” he said.
‘I will always appreciate the advice and guidance they have given to help me become a better umpire.”
In the future, Norris said he would love to umpire professionally.
‘It’s hard to make a full time career out of umpiring. My other goal is to become a politician,” he said.
“Sharman Stone is someone I have always admired and I aspire to be like her.”