Geelong Advertiser | TOMORROW AFL Barwon and GDFL players will wear green armbands to celebrate the Geelong Football Umpires League who mark their 80th anniversary this weekend.
Founded in 1935, the GFUL is the oldest surviving umpiring organisation in country Victoria and is responsible for providing umpires to the Geelong Football League, Bellarine Football League, Geelong & District Football League and the Geelong Junior Football League.
GFUL general manager, David Harris said the league is a role model for other country umpiring groups and has grown along with the football clubs for whom they officiate.
He said in 1935 there were 30 members, while current membership now exceeds 300.
Stalwart umpire John Hilder was born in the same year the GFUL was founded.
A handy player, Hilder spent 23 seasons in the forward line in the Hampton and Gippsland leagues, took on a junior coaching roles then donned a white coat in 1974.
Apart from 2003-2004 when Hilder went to Queensland to be the state’s regional umpire manager, he’s been waving the white flags in the goal.
“Umpiring is way to stay in touch with football now I can no longer play,” he said.
“It’s all about doing a job I love.”
In 1961, Kevin McMaster decided to give umpiring a go.
McMaster, 71, who last blew a whistle in 2005, is now a GFUL statistician.
“Back then we were paid less than 10 bob a game,” he said.
“I was still at school at St Josephs and started off as a boundary umpire.”
Robert Shedden, 75, has been goal umpiring for less than three years in Geelong, but did central umpiring and coaching in Maryborough in late 70s and early 80s.
Shedden said he’s pleased to see females involved in the game.
“It’s great that women are umpiring,” he said.
“There are some terrific quality with the girls training and they train and present very well.”
Cheyenne Philpott, 10, has been umpiring for one year.
“I’ve been boundary umpiring at the under-16 games,” she said.
“You have to decide if the call is in or out of play and we have to be strong, block the players comments out and stand by our decision.”
Philpott said she a school friend have undertaken their training together.
“We support each other as we often umpire the same games.”
