They say a week is a long time in football. Then a year must almost equate to a life time. For the young umpires in the NCCUA, 2011 was a opportunity to shine and show the rest of the football community that they are the next generation of umpires who will take the BDAFL competition forward into the next decade.
Not only are the NCCUA’s young umpires confident, but in the 2011 season they have also proven they are capable of sticking their hand up and take their umpiring to the next level.
The young upcoming umpires continue to shine and 2012 will see them again show the football community they are up to the standards required to umpire in the BDAFL competition.
To Jackson Stokes and Aden Kittel congratulations on becoming the youngest field umpires to umpire a BDAFL Grand Final. To Aden Kittel congratulations on achieving the highest honour the NCCUA has to bestow on an umpire, “Umpire of the Year.”
Below is the article that appeared in the Port Stephens Examiner on Wednesday 21 September 2011. The photo and article appear courtesy of the Port Stephens Examiner (http://www.portstephensexaminer.com.au/news/local/sport/waterskiing/awards-for-young-umpire-aden-from-corlette/2298947.aspx). The article was written by Daniel Mills and accompanying photo was taken by Anna Wolf.
[Aden Kittel's Black Diamond progression is complete.
The 17 year old from Corlette earned the region's two top AFL umpiring awards after taking out the Field Umpire and Umpire of the Year categories.
Aden, who because of injury gave up the game, is now eyeing a long-term career as an AFL umpire.
In the four years since his 2007 accreditation, Aden has been gradually working through the Black Diamond grades and was appointed to the first grade grand final this year.
The aspiring AFL official had mixed emotions about his award-winning chances but there was no doubting what the honour meant.
"I was pretty stoked," he said.
"I had a fair idea I might win one because I umpired the [first grade] grand final, but didn't think I'd win both."
After also being appointed Vice Captain at his school, Aden said it 'was probably the best week of my life.'
Aden has officiated a number of representative matches this year, including the under 18 state championships, the AFL international cup and interleague representative matches.
A stint umpiring in the AFL's second-tier state competition, the North East Australian Football League (NEAFL), is among Aden's future plans.
As part of the AFL's expansion program, the NEAFL offers additional talent pathways for both players and umpires in non-traditional states.”]
Last Modified on 24/09/2011 07:32