Last Man Standing

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Published on Thursday, 05 June 2014 12:13

Following the retirement of Kieron Nicholls in 2008 and Justin Bennison in 2013, Jason Venkataya is now the only AFL listed umpire to hail from the great Riddell Umpires.

Jason started his umpiring career in 1993, after classmate and fellow umpire Mark Kinnersley (1992-97) sold it to him as a way to get involved in football rather than standing on the sidelines. Jason remained at the Riddell Umpires until the end 1995. He officiated 88 games in the goals. 54 of those games were senior games . It didn't take Jason long to succeed in his umpiring career. In 1994, only his second season, he umpired the RDFL Division 2 Senior Grand Final. He went one step better in 1995 when he umpired the  RDFL Division 1 Senior Grand Final.

When asked about his memories of his time at the Riddell Umpires, Jason had the following to say "We had a great bunch of guys, the comaraderie and banter amongst the group led by Ken Freeman (chief motor mouth) made it such a fun place to be. We had great coaches. I was lucky to have four guys coach me hard through the 95 season, namely Mick Sneddon, George Mather, Bob Croxford and Bruce Pizaro. I was fortunate to be surrounded by quality people that pushed me hard". He went on to say "The league was very inclusive and cared for its umpiring group. Players engaged with us and lot of that was to do with the oppurtunity to socialise after the match, an element that is lost in professional sport".  

In 1996, Jason moved to the VFL. In his time there he umpired 77 VFL senior games, 23 AFL Reserves, 23 VFL Reserves and 21 TAC Cup games. Jason umpired the 1998 TAC Cup Grand Final and the 1999 AFL Reserve Grade Grand Final. He went one step better in 2000, umpiring the VFL Senior Grand Final. After a short stint at the VFL, Jason was successful in being promoted to the AFL list.

Jason joined the AFL panel in 2000 and his AFL Heritage Number is 296. He has currently umpired 180 games and he is the 3rd most experienced  AFL listed goal umpire. Jason was selected to umpire the 150 Year Hall Of Fame Tribute Match between the Big V and the Dream Team in 2008. At the time AFL Umpires Manager Jeff Gieschen  had the following to say "Its a once in a lifetime game and we are treating it as such. Its right up there in terms of prestige and almost ranks along side a grand final. The umpires selected for the game are those who have been in the most outstanding form during the 2008 season".

Jason umpired finals in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010. In 2012 and 2013 he sat as an emergency umpire. When asked about his goal for 2014, Jason said "Finish in the final three".

Making the AFL list and becoming a successful umpire takes a high level of commitment. When asked what it takes to be the best, Jason said " The AFL umpires is set up exactly the same as an AFL footy club. Each discipline (field, boundary and goal) have their own specialist fitness, strength and conditioning coach. We don't do a lot of running in the goals on match day but what we do is short and sharp. A fit body is a fit mind, a fit mind is better concentration, hence why we have a minimum fitness benchmark of tests to meet in preseason. No pass, no go, meaning if you don't pass all the tests, you don't get on the park. Preseason is six sessions per week anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. Its a running program mixed with boxing, circuit and swimming with one rest day a week. During the season we train two nights a week. Game one day per week, sometimes two if we have to double up. Outside this, I run three nights a week and have one day off".

In 2012 Jason was awarded Life Membership to the AFLUA for his 10 years of service. An outstanding achievement in its own right. When asked about his career highlight, Jason was proud to say "I have run seven finals and I can't split them"

When asked by he would suggest umpiring to others, Jason said " Its a great way to get involved in football. It builds or grows yours decision making skills and teaches you to be balanced beyond the football field".

The Riddell Umpires congratulates Jason on what has been a marvellous career so far and we look forward to seeing him move towards umpiring his 200th AFL match this season. We also wish Jason luck in season 2014 and hope that an AFL Grand Final is just around the corner.