UMPIRES don’t get a lot of accolades but one whistle-blower who has been around for a long time deserves a gong this week. Rohan David officiated in his 300^th senior game at Mt Eliza last weekend. Rohan is very well known in the Casey Cardinia League, having umpired the last four CCL grand finals and away from the footy field he is also a keen professional runner, now in the ‘Masters’ category.
Name: Rohan David
Club: Southern Umpires Association
Best player seen: Brendan Moore (Pines), Michael Holland (Pakenham) and Greg Doyle (Rye), with apologies to about 10 others.
Best umpire seen: Mark Thorpe. He was one of the first umpires I met and he was a really good example to learn from.
Biggest influence on career: (SUA legend) Jim Klauer. When I first started in the under 16s he helped me out a great deal and was so dedicated that he set an example that you just had to follow.
All time favourite sporting moment: I was in the stands at the MCG when (late Australian marathon champion) Kerryn McCann entered the stadium beside the African girl (Hellen Cherono Koskei) and then sprinted home after 42 kilometres to win it. The atmosphere was unreal and the hairs on the back of your neck just stood up.
My weakness is: Coffee.
Most annoying (umpiring) team mate: That’s easy-Mark Mounsey. The guy is always pinching your socks out of your bag or doing something to annoy you and then makes out to everyone he’s innocent.