Gippsland Umpires Association member Nicholas Frost has been selected to officiate in V/Line Cup trial matches to be played in Mildura.
Frost has been selected from some of the best up and coming young umpiring talent in the state to form part of a field umpire panel of six for the trial matches.
The new and exciting component of the program will see players battle it out for places in state under 15 championship squads.
The program in Mildura, which will run from Monday through to Wednesday this week, offers umpires the opportunity to experience carnival football and allow them to work further on their skills.
Four goal umpires, to be guided by Gippsland Umpires Association accredited goal umpire coach Brett Marriott, and six boundary umpires make up the remainder of the panel.
Marriott makes up a team of dedicated match day coaches, which also includes VFL boundary umpire coach Leigh Buwalda.
Coaches will provide match day feedback with evening coaching sessions to support the development of all umpires.
In an indication of their dedication to umpiring, Frost and Marriott will travel the furthest to take part in the carnival.
Participants are required to travel to Bendigo to travel to Mildura by bus.
Other umpiring associations represented include Bendigo, Rochester and Echuca, Sunraysia, Northern Districts and Wimmera.
Frost earnt his selection from participation in the AFL Victoria Country umpire academy.
Invitations are sent to young developing field, boundary and goal umpires to participate in junior football programs, such as the carnival Frost has been selected to participate in.
In addition more experienced umpires from local associations are considered for selection in a wide-range of umpiring appointments, such as country championship interleague football.
Following the V/Line Cup trials in Mildura, the V/Line Cup will be staged in the Latrobe Valley during AFL grand final week, where the best under 15 footballers from TAC Cup regions will compete.
A similar competition for AFL youth girls footballers, the Subway Shield, will also take place alongside the V/Line Cup.
The Gippsland Umpires Association hope many of its young participants in the Academy program will be selected to take part in a further opportunity to develop their umpiring in their own backyard.
Anyone interested in umpiring can contact GUA selection coordinator Michael Talbot on 0466 998 620 or email guaumpire@gmail.com
Last Modified on 23/06/2015 12:08