WESTERN Region Football League’s director of umpiring Mark Westgarth has achieved an Advanced Coaching Accreditation while Maree Wilke has also been awarded with a Development Coach Accreditation.
The duo have been involved with the league for several years and have worked hard over several months to earn their respective accreditations.
Westgarth, previously accredited at the Development Umpire Coaching level, completed a range of proficiencies to achieve the accreditation.
Competencies included passing the post-workshop knowledge test, completing a coaching plan and journal as well as being assessed on two occasions while coaching.
“My accreditation level allows me to apply for VFL/State league umpire coaching positions and then further into the AFL,” Westgarth said.
“I currently present a match day environment/umpire perspective talk to AFL Junior and Senior Football coaches in their accreditation program, also run by the AFL.”
Maree Wilke’s involvement in umpiring coaching stemmed from her son’s involvement.
“My son was an umpire when he was 14,” she said.
“I took an interest in the association and got involved…I wanted to give back to them after what they gave to my son.
“This accreditation now shows my peers that I have shown an interest, I have achieved something and now I can go and coach.”
Wilke said she also underwent a vigorous accreditation process, which included going through different scenarios.
In other WRFL umpiring news, AFL umpire Josh Mather has been appointed the Boundary Umpires Coach for the league in 2016.
“Josh is a current running AFL boundary umpire so his experience and professionalism in the game will be a great assist and inspiration to all our boundary umpires,” Westgarth said.
Last Modified on 16/02/2016 12:02