Vale Ben Austin

The VAFA community is in mourning after umpire Ben Austin tragically passed away following a cricketing accident.

Ben was an emerging star in the VAFA umpiring scene, officiating in the Premier Men’s Reserves Grand Final in his first season. For a 17-year-old to be trusted with such a role in the top level of our competition highlights his talent and dedication.

“It is a shock to everyone to lose such a young, vibrant person in these tragic circumstances, and on behalf of the entire VAFA community, we send our deepest condolences to Ben’s parents, Tracey and Jace, who is also a much-loved figure around community footy, plus Ben’s brothers Cooper and Zach, along with all who knew and loved Ben,” said VAFA Chief Executive Officer, Jason Reddick.

“Ben was a highly regarded person and umpire in our VAFA ranks, and we wrap our arms around our tight-knit umpiring team.

“Ben was also a talented footballer who finished runner-up in Waverley Park Hawks’ Under 17 best & fairest this season. Our hearts go out to everyone at the Hawks, as well as his school mates at Rowville Sports Academy.

“Plus, Ben was a dedicated cricketer, representing several clubs, and we are also thinking of the communities at Ferntree Gully, Mount Waverley, Mulgrave and Eildon Park Cricket Clubs where Ben was involved.”

“There are no other words to describe Ben’s passing than as a tragedy,” said VAFA Umpires Association President, Michael Evans.

“This was Ben’s first year as a boundary umpire with the VAFA and he achieved so much in such a short time. Ben showed much promise, being selected to umpire the Premier Men’s Reserves Grand Final – a significant achievement in his first year with us.

“I was fortunate enough to have umpired with Ben through the year and found him to be talented and passionate, with a bright future ahead of him. It is unsurprising that this has been a consistent message from all those who knew Ben, including his cricket and football clubs.

“On behalf of the Umpires Association and all umpires, I send my deepest condolences to Ben’s family at this incredibly difficult time and offer the support of the Association to all those affected by Ben’s passing.”

Ben’s boundary umpire coach Shaun Bourke echoed that sentiment.

“Ben was an outstanding young man. Despite living in Ferntree Gully, he umpired all across metro Melbourne and was always happy to help us out, often doing a second game.

“Ben demonstrated significant talent, umpiring Premier division football in his first season, culminating in the Premier Men’s Reserves Grand Final, which is a game reserved for up-and-coming umpires.

“Ben had all the ingredients to make it to the higher levels. He was coachable, athletic, passionate and a good teammate. He’s a big loss to our VAFA umpiring community and will be missed. Our thoughts are with Ben, his family, and his good mate Cooper, who regularly umpired with him.”

The VAFA is providing counselling support to our umpires through the VAFA’s Player & Umpire Assistance Program.

Local sporting clubs and their communities are known for supporting each other during the toughest times, and on behalf of the entire VAFA community, we send our heartfelt wishes to Ben’s family, friends, and everyone who knew and loved him. He was clearly a very special young man.

The VAFA community will pay a gameday tribute to Ben in the opening round of next season.

The Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club & Ferntree Gully Cricket Club have established a GoFundMe to assist Ben’s family at www.gofundme.com/f/vale-ben-austin

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