So Your Playing Days Are Over. What's Next?

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Published on Friday, 07 March 2014 06:15

You don't need to have played Australian Rules Football to become a good umpire, but it in some circumstances it really can help. People that have played the game can transfer the skills they had as a player when they make the transition to umpiring. They have an ability to read the play, position themselves correctly knowing where the play is going and are able to communicate well with players and coaches as they know exactly how these people are thinking. The AFL has recently experimented with transitioning past players to the AFL ranks. Mark Fraser, Jordan Bannister and Leigh Fisher have all successfully umpired at the top level following playing at AFL level.

When a player decides to retire, they are often lost to the football system. Just because your playing days are over, doesn't mean your involvement in football has to be to. Some players become coaches, administrators or spectators however a number become Umpires. Each and every week, the Riddell Umpires appoints games to umpires that have previously played the game. Each week there is over 2000 senior games of experience on the field from past players. These umpires have played at various levels and have had varied levels of success but they now all share a common interest, umpiring.

When it comes to respect from players and coaches, no one rates more highly than Addam "Ice" Icely. Ice's playing career spanned 20 years and saw him play at Gisborne, Western Jets in the TAC Cup, Werribee (VFL), Trentham and Rupertswood. He amassed over 300 games and won a number of awards including Best on Ground in Gisborne's winning U/18 RDFL Grand Final and also played in a number premierships including Gisborne's Senior wins in 1997 and 1998. Ice also had the thrill of playing on the MCG, something most players would crave. Addam joined the Riddell Umpires in 2004 because he wanted to stay involved in footy following his career and has now umpired over 300 games. Ice rates his first senior game and 1st grand final ( RDFL U/18 Grand Final) as the highlights of his umpiring career. When asked about the environment at the Riddell Umpires and how it compares to football clubs, Ice had the following to say "It's not as intense but it's still very rewarding". He would recommend umpiring to other ex players because it keeps them involved. He highlighted that past players generally have a smooth transition because current players understand that you recently came from playing yourself.

Not every league can boast that they have a two time league best and fairest player amongst their umpiring ranks. The Riddell Umpires are extremely lucky to have the services of Brett Hickey, a RDFL legend. Brett started playing senior footy in 1979 and remained at the top level until 1998. In 2000, he decided to call it a day after amassing a massive 450+ games. Brett played for 6 clubs including Melton South, South Morningside (QLD), Romsey, Melton Centrals, Gordon and Harcourt. Brett won 10 club senior Best and Fairest awards and 2 reserves club Best and Fairest awards. He won his 2 League Best and Fairest Awards with Melton South in 1983 and Romsey in 1994.  Brett joined the Riddell Umpires in 2004 and is coming up to umpiring his 400th game. He became an umpire because he found it to be the best way to stay involved in football while fitting in with his work commitments. To boost umpiring  numbers, Brett had the following to say "I would strongly advise clubs to send a club umpire down to training to boost numbers in U/18's and reserves, they can be taught everything they need to know".

Ronnie Lalli-Cafini has recently transitioned into a regular umpire at Senior level following a playing career of 450+ games at four clubs including Moonee Valley, Melton Centrals, Rockbank and Sunbury Kangaroos. Ron started playing the game at the age of 5 and retired at 37. Ronnie became an umpire in 2010 because he wasn't ready to give the game away and he wanted to increase the number of Adults assisting junior umpires on sundays. The highlights of his playing career were his Reserves Best and Fairest Awards at Rockbank and Melton Centrals along with Life Membership at Rockbank. The highlight of his 150 game umpiring career so far is the U/16A grand final in 2013 and his first U/12 grand final in 2010. Ronnie thinks that the Riddell Umpires would truly benefit from more past players taking up a whistle.

Tony "Mad Dog" O'Dwyer is character the players of the RDFL have grown to love. Tony started playing when he was 7 and retired 40 years later when injury final finally took its toll. Tony amassed over 900 games playing most of his career at Hadfield. In his time there he won 5 most courageous awards. Tony has also played at Romsey and Airport West and coached at Hadfield and Airport West. Tony was having a beer one night watching a preseason AFL and bagging the umpires as he would typically do. A couple of the old stalwarts of Romsey told him to pull his head in and made him think about giving it a go. When asked why he turned to umpiring, Tony said “I love the game, the competitiveness, the mateship and the fun. Of course its different being a “Maggot” but remember why you are doing it. Without us you may not have a fairer game. As players you go out to do your best. As Umps we do the same. So in short, be game, be hard, be fair and become a maggot. Come down and have a crack, you will feel at home”.

We also can't go past current league President Alan "Ollie" Matthews. Ollies's 400+ game playing career at Craigieburn, Oak Park, Paramount, North Fawkner, Wallan and Sunbury Superrules was cut short by injury from a motorcycle accident. During his playing career, Ollie won 4 RDFL Reserve Best & Fairest awards, won 1 premiership and was selected in the All-Australian team in Superrules in Darwin. Ollie saw umpiring as the best way to stay involved in football and boy has he stayed involved. Ollie is the only umpire to amass over 1200 games at the Riddell Umpires. He is a Life Member, 6 Senior Grand Final Goal Umpire, Goal Umpire Coach, Junior Field Umpire (9 junior grand finals) and League Adminstator. When asked how the umpiring group compares to other football clubs Ollie said “The environment of the umpiring association is very similar to that of a football club. You have your characters, and you develop mateship within the group”. When asked why more ex players should take up umpiring Ollie had the following to say “Ex players make very good umpires as they have an understanding of the game from a players perspective. Umpiring is a great way to continue in the sport”

Riddell Umpires are always looking to increase their number of listed umpires. As you can see from above, Umpires with previous playing experience are one of our greatest assets. We would love to see more players make the transition. If you are a past or even current player and you think you would like to give umpiring a go, click on the Become An Umpire link on the homepage and fill in the form. Ask as many questions as you like and we will get back to you.