Umps ‘bounce’ into big league

TWO of last season’s Peninsula Football League grand final field umpires have just been accepted into the VFL Umpires Panel for 2007 season.
They are Joey Thorpe, from Narre Warren and Jason Schilling from Hastings.
Southern Umpires Association (SUA) spokesman Brian Nankervis said it was delighted that two more of its top umpires had moved on to bigger things.
“However it means more opportunities for our young umpires to fill their shoes in senior local footy,” he said.
A past SUA senior goal umpires, Luke Walker (25), from Frankston, was appointed to officiate at last Saturday night’s NAB Cup grand final at Telstra Dome.
Nankervis said these two stories reinforced the fact that anyone wanting to go on to VFL or AFL umpiring ranks would be promoted and supported through the Southern Umpires Association (SUA).
Anyone wanting to take up umpiring as either a field, boundary or goal umpire can call the SUA’s director of coaching, Tony Hales on mobile 0408 500 935 for further details.
Training for umpires is now being held at the Pawsey Reserve, Fountain Gate on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6pm.
See Andrew Little, or phone him on 0407 994 034.