Victorian umpires will play a central role in the inaugural NAB AFL Women’s (AFLW) season, with 21 field, boundary and goal umpires from the AFL Victoria Umpire Development Squad selected to officiate in the competition.
Victoria’s tally is the most of any state – eight more than South Australia and Western Australia with 13 umpires each.
As part of the AFL Victoria Umpire Development Squad, the 21 umpires normally officiate in VFL Women’s, Development League and TAC Cup matches. They were selected in the Development Squad after progressing through the ranks at local football level.
Two of the Victorian AFLW umpires are women, with field umpire Annie Mirabile officiating in Friday night’s opening AFLW match between Carlton and Collingwood at Ikon Park. Mirabile was the emergency field umpire for the 2016 TAC Cup Grand Final.
Fellow AFLW field umpires Nick Jankovskis and Nathan Toner are others to have officiated at a high level in 2016, taking charge in the VFL Women’s Grand Final.
AFL Victoria Umpiring Head Coach Cameron Nash said the 21 Victorian umpires were selected for AFLW duties after consistent performances while in the Development Squad last year.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for them to be involved in the inaugural AFLW season,” Nash said.
“With games being televised and a large amount of interest in the competition, it will be a great development experience for them heading into this season as they strive to become VFL senior umpires.”
See the list of Victorian umpires selected to officiate in the 2017 AFL Women’s season below.
Field umpires:
Ben Cheever
Nick Jankovskis
Annie Mirabile
Michael Pell
Martin Rodger
Jack Spencer
Nathan Toner
Libby Toovey
Boundary umpires:
Blake Anderson
Patrick Damato
Kyle Fisher
Lachlan Harty
Melissa Sambrooks
Lewis Spiker
Jesse Wilkie
Chris Williams
Goal umpires:
Patrick Dwyer
Brendan Moloney
Luke Monea
Kelly Tellam
John Varker
(Photo: Arj Giese)
Last Modified on 03/02/2017 17:50
