UMPIRING MATES PROGRAM- Supporting local talent
By Justin Lemmon
How incredible would it be to have an AFL footballer at your child’s local footy training showing them how to kick the perfect drop punt? Or perhaps Stephanie Rice could be at the swimming pool, adjusting freestyle techniques? I know I would certainly love to have Adam Scott guiding me through my approach to the 18th on the fairway at Spotswood. Yet unfortunately, the gap between amateur and professional is one rarely crossed, the closest us mortals generally get to those true masters of their craft is a courtside seat or a lounge room chair.
The AFL though, is striving to at least narrow the gap, giving locals a taste of the top level. The ‘AFL Mates Program’ is into its ninth year, pairing some of the best 16-25 year old suburban umpires with those who have already made it to the AFL. The professionals will be on hand throughout the season to provide advice and guidance to their young charges.
Two of the Western Region Football League’s most talented young umpires in Ryan Webster and Dean McGowan were lucky enough to be given the chance to learn from one of the best in the business, AFL umpire Tristan Burgess. The duo will be paired with Tristan for the duration of the season, as he passes on tips and advice about one of the toughest jobs in football.
Burgess will be in weekly contact with his young pupils while also taking them to AFL games and getting to the local footy to give first hand advice to Ryan and Dean. For Tristan, into his third season as an AFL umpire, the program provides a chance to give back.
“It’s absolutely fantastic for us to help out with the young umpires coming through,” he said.
“We’re not there to coach, we’re just here to assist and help out with anything from the perspective of actual AFL umpires.”
Through his mentoring role, Burgess wishes to imbue a sense of the commitment required to reach the highest level.
“It’s very important for us to be the best we can be, if you just don’t want something you’ll do the basics, but if you want to achieve something you’ll do as much as possible.”
One day, bouncing the ball on the biggest stage is the dream for MacKillop College Umpiring Academy products 16-year-old Ryan Webster and 18-year-old Dean McGowan.
Dean believes the Mates Program will not only add to his skill set, but also his belief.
“AFL is the overall dream that I’d love to achieve and doing other things like this does help me believe that I can do it.”
Ryan echoes the idea that the Mates Program may be a key building block in the development of his career.
“It’s everyone’s big goal (AFL) but it feels out of reach, but the Mates Program might at least help get me into the VFL, that would be the main goal at the moment...just one step at a time,” he said.
Both are already seeing benefits from their initial discussions with Tristan, who has already imparted the importance of preparation and thoroughness, which Ryan believes is the key to improvement.
“Just getting that mentality of planning before I go into a game and just getting my mindset right, not walking into a game and thinking alright I already know what to do, planning each time, improving each time and growing as an umpire,” he said.
The AFL must be credited for instituting a program that can only see youngsters improve in what is one of the game’s toughest roles. It is hard to imagine anyone not learning extensive amounts from a professional- let alone two ambitious teenagers, passionate about their craft and willing to learn.
Follow Justin on Twitter @JustinLemmon1
Last Modified on 02/05/2014 14:11