Umpires Club Notes 13^th June 2009

Last weekend saw the association’s consummate umpiring professional reach a magnificent milestone by officiating in his 1100^th Game.  Sporting a jacket underneath his shirt in the cold at the Showgrounds the dulcet tones of Tim Donnelly were unmistakable.  Jason Seipolt also chalked up 300 games at Wade Street on Sunday.  Well done guys on your milestones. 

Bendigo Football also welcomed for the first time a female central umpire in the Sandhurst v Castlemaine Reserves game.  I am not sure if a few people took a double take or not, but yes we have recently welcomed Jackie to the BUA.  Jackie has previously umpired senior football in the Geelong League so it may not be long before we have our first female BFL Senior umpire.  This fittingly coincided with the AFL’s Female round, which highlighted the growing participation of women in our sport.  Umpiring is definitely an option for Females who love the game to get involved, the AFL currently have two female goal umpires.  Great opportunities exist and what better place to watch the game from than out in the centre of the ground.  If you are keen to have a go, come along to training on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 5.30pm.

Some ruckmen in the league asked a few questions about the prior opportunity discussed in last week’s notes.    It is good to see some of them exploring the rules and realising that taking the ball out of the ruck isn’t taboo.   Admittedly it can be fraught with danger but a ruckmen with quick hands can get away with it and deliver the ball straight to a running rover.  Another rule which cropped up at Golden Square on the weekend and rarely occurs is when a ruckmen punches the ball from a ruck contest out on the full.  This was brought in a few years ago and is still very much in play.  So from a boundary throw in or a ball up make sure you don’t punch the ball over the boundary line on the full.

We had a couple of tools crop up last weekend.  One was from the Golden Square v Gisborne clash and it was poor old Thommo who just couldn’t find the centre circle.  At one point it looked as though he had to ask both ruckmen to help him out.  Poor old Wombat arrived late at Gisborne last weekend waiting for a boundary umpire that just wouldn’t turn up.  Turns out he had left for Gisborne at 7.45am to umpire the thirds.  Obviously Wombie had his head stuck firmly down the burrow when he inputted this umpire’s appointment into the computer on the preceding Tuesday night.   Also we believe that the BFL may be considering the “Flash Norton” dash for cash as some half time entertainment in this year’s grand final.

Our CASSEROLE TEA night is on tonight from 6.30pm so bring a casserole or a dessert for entry.  Visit www.bendigumpires.vcfl.com.au for everything on umpiring.

The Umpires are proudly supported by our major sponsors Tip Top Bakeries and Danny Clapp the Good Guys. 

Good luck to all umpires, players and supporters this weekend.

Yours in Football

The Grumpy Umpy