Promising youngsters get kick out of wielding whistle Umpires in making
PROMISING junior umpires Tylor Winnett and Allan Harding are preparing to take the first steps towards the elite level as part of the AFLQ Umpires Academy.
The Townsville youngsters recently umpired at the North Queensland Youth Girls Championships at Airlie Beach where their efforts were rewarded with the academy invitation.
Tylor and Allan both play junior footy with the Thuringowa Bulldogs, but said they enjoyed taking the whistle just as much as kicking the ball.
“You’ve got to remember the rules and stuff, but other than that it’s pretty good,” Allan said.
Tylor added: “It’s going to be good to learn more about umpiring ( through the academy).”
AFL Townsville Umpires Association president Peter James said both boys looked for any opportunity to improve their understanding of the game as umpires.
“They’ve just had a season out of the box,” James said.
“Earlier in the year the youth girls Supernovas were running around without umpires and so the boys volunteered to be part of it. They said we’re happy to umpire and they had a really good time. ( AFLQ) have recognised these boys have got a bit of talent, now they’ve just got to work hard.”
James said fitness was just as important as knowing the rulebook, but he believed Tylor and Allan had shown the skills to go far as umpires.
“I think the fitness is step one and that helps with the concentration and these guys have got it all. They’re really putting it together,” James said.
“It is a long track ( to umpire at AFL level), especially for 14- year- old boys, but they’ve definitely taken the first step which is awesome.”