A budding umpire from Chittering is set to get a taste of the biggest stage of all at the 2014 AFL Grand Final. Cody Hall plays junior football for the Chittering Junior Football club and also umpires junior football. Cody started his junior football with the Chittering Broncos some 6 years ago and with his journey playing AFL, has found a passion for umpiring. Cody said “I really love umpiring, the SDJFUA is a great association to be a part of and I thank them very much for the opportunity, I believe I’m giving back to footy by umpiring, I can’t wait to run onto the MCG.”
Cody and his Father make the trip down to Jubilee Oval each Wednesday night to train with the SDJFUA umpires. Cody's dad Ian said “My wife and I are so proud of Cody, he is developing into a fine young man and a great junior umpire. We could not acknowledge the SDJFUA enough for their commitment to the development of all their umpires, the association should be commended for all their efforts week in week out, Peter Gurney and Andrew Hayes (coach) are instrumental in the success of the association.”
Peter Gurney (Swan Districts Junior Football Umpire association Manager) said “Cody is 12 years old and is in his second year as a green shirt umpire. In his first year he focused on boundary umpiring but took the big step to field umpiring in 2014. Cody is a popular member of our umpiring panel and requires very little supervision. He responds well to our coaching approach and has the ability to listen carefully and execute what he is being told. He rarely misses a training session and was one of only 5 of our young umpires (aged under 13) to complete our pre-season program which commenced late January 2014.
He has shown great commitment to umpiring whilst managing to play football as well. We believe that umpiring has really had a positive impact on Cody. He is growing from a quiet shy boy, to someone who is now confident to communicate with players and officials at a mature level. He deserves the opportunity and we wish him well on his big day. These opportunities are once in a lifetime experience.”
Chittering Junior Football Club Secretary Alan Nairn said “the award was well deserving to a fantastic member of our club, Cody is a well-respected lad and thoroughly deserves his opportunity to represent our State on behalf of the CJFC and the SDJFUA at the AFL Grand Final, Cody is one of 9 junior umpires who represent our club at the SDJFUA, we will all be glued to the TV on Grand final Day to watch Cody craft his skills at half time.”
Last Modified on 30/08/2014 14:52