Gippsland Umpires Association have found its latest member to progress to a state league umpiring panel in boundary umpire Daniel Jacob, who has been selected as a rookie on the North East Australian Football League panel.
Daniel’s last full season with the GUA came in 2014, where he officiated in the Gippsland League reserves grand final.
Moving to Canberra for university study in 2015, Daniel continued his umpiring in Canberra with success.
He was quick to earn nomination in the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Umpiring Academy.
Similar to the Academy programs on offer in Victoria, including the Victoria Country umpires academy that provides opportunities to officiate representative football, the NSW/ACT Academy is a recent initiative of the AFL as it aims to increase the number of AFL listed umpires from those states.
The NSW/ACT Umpiring Academy targets accredited goal and boundary umpires who have the talent and desire to officiate in the NEAFL.
The NSW/ACT Academy is designed to identify and provide specialist coaching to talented boundary and goal umpires who have genuine potential and interest to umpire state league football within a three-year period.
Daniel is well on his way to meeting that timeframe following rookie selection after just one season in the NSW/ACT Academy program.
One of three boundary umpires selected from his umpiring group in AFL Canberra, Daniel was one of 13 boundary umpires who participated in the program, benefiting from one-on-one coaching from current AFL boundary umpire Robert Taylor.
Daniel capped his 2015 season with selection the AFL Canberra Division 1 grand final at Manuka Oval.
AFL Canberra division one is considered the premier competition in the ACT outside of the NEAFL competition, and Daniel’s rapid rise continued in the off-season with selection as a rookie on the NEAFL umpires list.
Daniel continues a GUA connection in Canberra, with former GUA coach and rookie AFL field umpire Damian Anderson heading up umpiring and state programs in NSW/ACT.
Currently, the AFL has three boundary umpires from New South Wales and the ACT on its list, and aim to increase that number to five.
Despite its relatively modest numbers, GUA has produced a disproportionate number of high achievers.
Of its current list, boundary umpire Alec Bedford and goal umpire Niall Thompson have been nominated for the AFL Victoria Umpire Rookie Squad.
The squad, which aims to bridge the gap between community and state league umpiring, was developed for field umpires in 2014 and has grown to now also include boundary and goal.
Similar to the NSW/ACT program, umpires who are 1-2 years away from state league umpiring are recommended for the squad.
Alec and Niall will attend VFL umpire training once per month to gain insights into training and expectations at state league level.
Several GUA members have achieved VFL selection over the years and four are currently listed.
Two – Matt Stevic and Chris Roberts – are presently on the AFL senior list, and one – Gavin Dore – retired after a distinguished AFL career.
Anyone interested in umpiring can email gippslandumpires@outlook.com or phone Nick Cullis on 0413 376 759 for more information.
Last Modified on 19/04/2016 11:24