THIS WEEKS GAMES

OUR GREAT GAME | Tasmanian All Australian Umpire of the Year
Tasmanian State League Umpire of the Year, Nick
Foot, has been named the AFL/Australian Sports
Commission (ASC) 2010 All Australian Umpire.
Foot, who umpired the TSL Senior Grand Final
and the interstate match between Tasmania and
Queensland at Southport, was selected for the
honour from a top field from around the country.
The AFL/ASC program sees one umpire chosen
from each State and Territory at the start of the year
as participants in the High Performance Umpiring
Academy that was coordinated by Brett Allen, former
AFL field umpire. Participants attended a number of
seminars and camps during the year and undertook
various personal professional development
initiatives. During the year Foot mentored a young
TSL field umpire and conducted coaching sessions
for TSL umpires and an umpiring course for High
School students.
As part of the award Foot has been travelling with
the Australian Under 18 team on a recent tour of the
United Kingdom, Italy and Turkey to play matches.
The umpiring highlight of the trip was officiating in an
Australia versus European International Team match
in London. The Australian U18 team also attended
the ANZAC day ceremony at Gallipoli.
AFL Tasmania State Umpiring Manager/Coach, Mike
Brown, says it was a fantastic effort by Foot.
The High Performance Umpiring Academy was made
up of eight umpires from all States and Territories all
of whom are considered as future AFL prospects. To
be named the All Australian Umpire is a tremendous
achievement. Nick has always displayed ability and
potential, but in the last two years he has markedly
improved his fitness and professionalism, which has
culminated in him winning this prestigious award.
Foot is also currently trialing for the AFL Panel. As
part of the trial he attended an AFL Umpires Camp
in late January and officiated in NAB Cup Pre-
Season matches. Nick’s overseas trip and AFL trial
emphasise the excellent opportunities and pathway
available for Tasmanian umpires to reach the top.
AFL Supplementary ‘Rookie’ Umpire List
Tasmanian Field Umpires, Nick Foot and Shaun
Gleeson, have been selected on the 2011 AFL
Supplementary ‘Rookie’ Umpires list.
AFL Tasmania State League General Manager,
Shaun Young, said the inclusion of the two
umpires on the AFL list was a vindication of the
Tasmanian State League (TSL) and the umpiring
standard. The selection of Nick and Shaun clearly
demonstrate that Tasmania’s best umpires now
have a direct pathway through to the AFL, the
same as the players. Prior to the introduction
of the TSL our best umpires were required to go
through the VFL system to be accepted onto the
AFL Umpiring Panel.
AFL Tasmania’s State Umpiring Manager/Coach.
Mike Brown, initiated an exhaustive process that
the umpires must follow to be chosen for the AFL
Umpiring list. The first criterion is to be appointed
and then perform at a high standard in the TSL
Grand Final. Following this a review and analysis
of the Grand Final is undertaken and nominations
are provided to AFL Field Umpires Coach, Rowan
Sawers. There is then a five month trial process
which includes passing endurance and fitness
benchmarks, attending an AFL Umpires Camp,
and officiating in the NAB Cup.
The AFL Supplementary listing requires umpires to
complete the same activities as all the other AFL
Umpires. This includes the training and coaching
sessions, weekly teleconferences and acting
regularly as an Emergency Umpire at AFL matches.
When not being involved with the AFL, the field
umpires officiate in their local leagues, which will
be of great benefit to the TSL umpiring group.
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