Backing local champions. - neafl

UMPIRE PROFILE
Today we profile
Glen Swan or “G-bus”
as he is well known.
He looks after our
Green Shirt and 2nd
year Field umpires; up
to U/16’s.
An active member of the
coaching staff combined with
his NEAFL and AFL Canberra
umpiring commitments he is a
valuable team member of the
Umpiring Group.
His coaching is on developing
Field Umpires early skills and
introducing them to umpiring.
The support and encouragement
Swan gives is a testament to his
strong and welcoming character.
Swan is also Vice President
of the AFL Canberra Umpires
Association and can often be
seen assisting in many areas as
is needed.
Name: Glen Swan
Age: 30
Discipline and
number:
Field Umpire #39
What got you
involved in umpiring?
My Dad was a goal umpire
with the umpiring group in
Queensland. Dad went on to
umpire what was then VFL/
AFL reserves, and then he
became the club umpire for my
junior footy club in Brisbane.
During adolescence, I had some
time away from playing footy
due to reoccurring injuries. I
originally started umpiring as a
way to preserve match fitness.
However, once I got to university,
it also provided me with some
extra money to help me on my
way.
What made you
continue in umpiring?
Although I was playing football
throughout my teenage years
and my twenties, I always found
myself coming back to umpiring
for one reason or another. When
a knee reconstruction put an end
to my playing days, umpiring
was a way for me to keep giving
something to football. I really
enjoy running and being able
to contribute to the football
community.
What success have
you gained from
umpiring?
Self discipline; I have always
enjoyed training, but training
to umpire a game of Australian
football properly is a real mental
and physical challenge. I have
had to be self disciplined with my
approach to learning the laws
of the game, committing to a
training schedule and continuing
to challenge myself with
self-improvement strategies.
Additionally, I have a role
assisting with junior umpiring
development in Canberra. I get a
lot of enjoyment being involved
with the learning and development
of umpires who are new to
the game.
What is your ambition
in umpiring?
As long as the body cooperates I
aim to continue to umpire at the
highest level in accordance with
my capabilities.
A personal ambition is to trial for
AFL level football before 2013.
A football community ambition
is to continue to inspire young
umpires to stick with umpiring.
Would you recommend
umpiring to
your friends?
Yes, umpiring is great because it
provides so many opportunities
for personal development. A lot
of my friends are always looking
for ways to, for instance, train for
something. Umpiring is a great
way to stay involved with footy.