Community Umpiring legend Steve Aarons

Every weekend, while most VAFA supporters head to their local ground with a scarf and pie in hand, Steve Aarons turns up with a whistle and a faded green VAFA volunteer umpire shirt.

Since 1986, Steve has umpired hundreds of games for the Ormond Amateur Football Club—through wet winters, premierships, and generations of players. A heart-and-soul figure at the club, Steve is proof that local footy thrives on dedication as much as talent.

“He just umpired and umpired and umpired,” says Ormond club secretary Malcom Roach. “His mates left, and he just stayed.”

Steve’s origin story with the club didn’t begin as an umpire. He was just a young man tagging along to games to watch his mates—like many who attend VAFA games today.

“My best mates all played at Ormond in the under-19s. I was too busy watching St Kilda lose,” he laughs. “Then they started playing seniors, and the rest is history.”

Steve began filming games in the 1980s before stepping up when the club—like many in the VAFA at the time—was short on umpires.

“Clubs had to supply their own umpires, and I’d umpired as a kid. So, me and a mate started alternating every second week,” Steve says.

Ever since, Steve has been a permanent fixture on the field. And when the final siren blows, he’s still around—behind the bar, tongs on the barbecue, or wherever the club needs him.

“Not only would he umpire the reserves,” says Roach, “but after he’d finish, he’d go serve behind the bar. He is always there.”

“He would open up his place to have the celebrations. He just loves it.”

Indeed, one flag celebration turned into an overnight event at Steve’s residence—dubbed “Club Saarons” by many at the club.

He’s seen it all: the club’s first flag since 1972, a golden era with four in a row in the late ’80s, and a lower division triumph in recent years.

“We don’t care what grade we’re in—we won the flag.”

However, it’s not about glory. It’s about turning up week in, week out, and supporting the club he loves.

“No real challenges,” Steve says. “Turn up, do my job, go have a can of Coke and a hot dog.”

He admits it’s harder these days to connect with players.

“The last couple of years, you do eventually get too old to get to know them… there’s a big age difference.”

But the love hasn’t faded.

“There’s never been once where I wanted to quit umpiring. It’s never been about what’s happened on the ground.”

Malcom Roach says Steve’s presence is more than symbolic.

“He’s a familiar face. Everyone knows him—he’s friendly, approachable.”

Steve has been honoured twice as Ormond’s Clubman of the Year and proudly displays his Certificate of Merit from the VAFA on his mantlepiece.

But for him, it’s simpler than that.

“I couldn’t play footy… this was my best way of being involved.”

Now 63, Steve’s still running. Still smiling. Still copping it from the boundary—and giving it back with a wink.

“If you love your club, you’ve got to help. If you don’t help in amateur footy, the club can’t get anywhere.”

“If you’re watching your son or daughter, you can still run water. You’re on the ground. You can probably see better.”

And that’s Steve—still on the ground, still doing his bit. A whistle and a deep love for the game. A heart-and-soul character that Ormond will forever be grateful for.