MOTHERS DAY ROUND

OUR GREAT GAME | Tasmanian All Australian Umpire of the Year
Tasmanian State League Umpire of the Year, Nick Foot, has been named the AFL/Australian
Sports Commission (ASC) 2010 All Australian Umpire.
Foot, who umpired the TSL Senior Grand Final
and the interstate match between Tasmania and
Queensland at Southport, was selected for the
honour from a top field from around the country.
The AFL/ASC program sees one umpire chosen
from each State and Territory at the start of the year
as participants in the High Performance Umpiring
Academy that was coordinated by Brett Allen, former
AFL field umpire. Participants attended a number of
seminars and camps during the year and undertook
various personal professional development
initiatives. During the year Foot mentored a young
TSL field umpire and conducted coaching sessions
for TSL umpires and an umpiring course for High
School students.
As part of the award Foot has been travelling with
the Australian Under 18 team on a recent tour of the
United Kingdom, Italy and Turkey to play matches.
The umpiring highlight of the trip was officiating in an
Australia versus European International Team match
in London. The Australian U18 team also attended
the ANZAC day ceremony at Gallipoli.
AFL Tasmania State Umpiring Manager/Coach, Mike
Brown, says it was a fantastic effort by Foot.
The High Performance Umpiring Academy was made
up of eight umpires from all States and Territories all
of whom are considered as future AFL prospects. To
be named the All Australian Umpire is a tremendous
achievement. Nick has always displayed ability and
potential, but in the last two years he has markedly
improved his fitness and professionalism, which has
culminated in him winning this prestigious award.
Foot is also currently trialing for the AFL Panel. As
part of the trial he attended an AFL Umpires Camp
in late January and officiated in NAB Cup Pre-
Season matches. Nick’s overseas trip and AFL trial
emphasise the excellent opportunities and pathway
available for Tasmanian umpires to reach the top.
AFL Supplementary ‘Rookie’ Umpire List
Tasmanian Field Umpires, Nick Foot and Shaun
Gleeson, have been selected on the 2011 AFL
Supplementary ‘Rookie’ Umpires list.
AFL Tasmania State League General Manager,
Shaun Young, said the inclusion of the two umpires
on the AFL list was a vindication of the Tasmanian
State League (TSL) and the umpiring standard. The
selection of Nick and Shaun clearly demonstrate that
Tasmania’s best umpires now have a direct pathway
through to the AFL, the same as the players. Prior
to the introduction of the TSL our best umpires were
required to go through the VFL system to be accepted
onto the AFL Umpiring Panel.
AFL Tasmania’s State Umpiring Manager/Coach.
Mike Brown, initiated an exhaustive process that
the umpires must follow to be chosen for the AFL
Umpiring list. The first criterion is to be appointed
and then perform at a high standard in the TSL
Grand Final. Following this a review and analysis
of the Grand Final is undertaken and nominations
are provided to AFL Field Umpires Coach, Rowan
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