Young whistleblowers get to show their skills
PROMISING junior umpires Tylor Winnett and Allan Harding will get their chance on the big stage this weekend when they run the boundary for the curtain- raiser to the opening round AFL clash in Cairns.
Reigning AFL Townsville premiers Hermit Park will take on Cairns champions Port Douglas in the Premiers Challenge before the Gold Coast Suns kick off their season against North Melbourne. The Townsville youngsters will have important roles to play in the curtain- raiser while they’ll also umpire the little league games at halftime of the main clash.
Tylor and Allan both play junior footy and AFL Townsville Umpires Association president Peter James said they’d shown great understanding of the game in their second year as umpires.
“They’re two young blokes who train really hard and it’s a brilliant opportunity for them,” James said.
“They both had a bit of experience when they did the curtain- raiser when Geelong and Gold Coast played ( in a preseason game) at Riverway. They seemed to take it in their stride. Both boys have got their heads screwed on pretty well and they’re getting their chance to do something a bit better.”
James hoped the chance to be part of such a big occasion in Cairns might encourage Tylor and Allan to consider future careers in umpiring.
“They both play footy as well and at this stage in their lives you don’t want to be trying to force them to choose one or the other,” James said.