VAFA Umpires promoted to VFL

The VAFA has been strongly represented in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and the Australian Football League (AFL) in recent years. This is due to the strength of the coaching programs provided by the VAFA Umpiring Department and the culture the VAFAUA fosters that help developing umpires to get the best out of themselves. This year is no exception.

Congratulations are extended to the following former VAFA Umpires who after a long preseason and trial period have been selected to umpire in the VFL/AFL VIC Development League/TAC Cup/Victorian Women’s Football League in 2015:

Kit Harvey (Development Field)

Ryan Robertson (Development Field)

Andre Gianfagna* (Development Field)

Mitchel Jones (Development Boundary)

Josh Prince (Development Goal)

These umpires join the following former VAFA Umpires at the VFL in 2015.

Joe Hartwig (Development Field), Ben Nicholson (Development Field), Matt Pryor (Development Field), Charlie Blanch (Development Boundary), Andrew Heffernan (Senior Field), Daniel Lawlor (Senior Field), Jarryd Barry (Senior Field), Ryan O’Shea (Senior Boundary), Matthew Dervan (Senior Goal), Chris Doyle (Senior Goal) and Anthony Kyrkou (Senior Goal).

Former VAFA Umpires who are currently umpiring in the AFL are:

VAFA UMPIRES – AFL LIST

Jordan Bannister* (Field) (2013 NAB Cup Grand Final Umpire), Chris Donlon (Field) (2011 AFL Grand Final Umpire), Leigh Fisher* (Field) (Promoted in 2013), Simon Meredith (Field) (2012, 2013, 2014 AFL Grand Final Umpire), Robert O’Gorman (Field) (Promoted in 2014), Nick Brown (Field) (Promoted for 2015), Brent Wallace* (Field) (Promoted for 2015), Matthew Jenkinson(Boundary), Damien Cusack (Boundary) (Promoted in 2014), James Scully (Boundary) (Promoted for 2015), Michael Saunders(Boundary) (2012/2013 NAB Cup Grand Final Umpire and 2013 AFL Grand Final Umpire) and Steve Piperno (Goal) (Promoted for 2015).

*part of the AFL’s player to umpire pathway

Anyone thinking about umpiring across any discipline or any players that have had one injury too many and are looking to transition to becoming an umpire should contact Brian Woodhead at the VAFA on 9537 6707 or [email protected] Once again the VAFAUA is proud to continue to provide the VFL and then AFL with quality umpires.