An Umpiring Academy is being established at MacKillop Catholic Regional College in Werribee.
Former AFL field umpire and teacher at MacKillop, Mark Westgarth welcomed Neville Nash (A.F.L. Victoria Umpire Development Manager), John Batty (CEO Western Region Football League), David Newton (Football Operations Manager, W.R.F.L.) & Terry Gunn (Umpire Manager, W.R.F.L.) to the college for a tour of the schools excellent training facilities being made available for the students.
The Academy initiative follows the successful introduction of Umpiring Academies at St Bernards College (Essendon), St Bedes College (Mentone) and Parade College (Bundoora). Two other academies will be established in 2009 at Camberwell Grammar and Ringwood Secondary College bringing the number of Academies to 6.
Already 17 students from MacKillop College have expressed their interest in joining the Academy in preparation for an umpiring career in the Western Region Football League. Mark Westgarth believes that number will grow once the school year starts.
Neville Nash states, ‘The experience of a former AFL field umpire will prove invaluable in the development of new umpires. The idea is to provide the Western Region Football League with a solid base of young umpires who will have the opportunity to take on a rewarding career as an AFL field umpire. They will be following in the footsteps of other local AFL field umpires Mick Dye, Chris Mitchell, Peter Howe, Matthew James & Troy Pannell.
‘The Academy will provide students with theoretical and practical lessons leading to participation in the Mentor Green Shirt Program, umpiring a junior match under the watchful eye of an experienced umpire.’
WRFL Umpire Manager Terry Gunn is excited by the initiative. ‘After seeing the success of the Academies at St Bernards, St Bedes & Parade, I am confident that it will be a real boost to umpire numbers in the WRFL. With an experienced umpire like Mark involved, it is a win-win situation for the WRFL. We are also talking to the College regarding about the possibility of using MacKillop as a training venue for Werribee based umpires.’
WRFL CEO John Batty said, ‘It's a fantastic opportunity to strengthen umpiring in the WRFL. The Academy is in the centre of the League’s growth corridor and the facilities are fantastic.’
Mark concluded by saying that the venture captures Rory Kennedy’s (MacKillop College Principal) enthusiastic ideals of providing the best opportunities for young people’s involvement in sport.
Mark also added that the opportunity to join the Academy will be extended to other local Colleges throughout the Wyndham area including but not limited to Westbourne Grammar and Thomas Carr.
The academy will commence in late February 2009 and will be open to young males and females who wish to get involved in umpiring. Those interested can contact David Newton at the Western Region Football League on 03 9315 1377