VAFA Umpires participate in AFL Mates Program

Two young VAFA umpires, Jackson Gillespie and Hamish McCartney, will participate in the AFL’s 2017 Mates Program with AFL Mentor Leigh Fisher.

Created in conjunction with AFL Victoria and AFL Umpires, the Mates Program pairs talented field umpires from the seven senior metropolitan umpiring groups including the VAFA, Eastern FL, Essendon DFL, Northern FL, Riddell District FNL, Southern FNL and Western Region FL with AFL listed umpires.

In its twelfth year, the Mates Program aims to promote the development of talented young umpires and provides them with a first-hand look at what it takes to officiate at the elite level.

Returning to the Program as a mentor for his ninth year is AFL Umpire Shane McInerney, along with fellow field umpires Chris Kamolins, Ben Ryan, Sam Hay, Robert O’Gorman and Leigh Fisher and Craig Fleer.

Over the duration of the season, the young officials, who range between the ages of 16 and 25, will speak regularly with their AFL mentor and develop their umpiring game plan.

In addition, the AFL umpires will meet with their ‘mates’ four or five times a year and speak to them regularly about all facets of umpiring and the challenges that come with it.

The VAFA congratulates both Jackson and Hamish for their participation and look forward to watching them develop their umpiring throughout the year.