DDFUA Umpire Alex Paton had the experience of his short umpiring career when he was selected to umpire the State Schoolboys Championships in Canberra from 22nd-30th July. Below are his experiences in his own words.

Day 1

Today we flew out to Melbourne. It was a really early flight at 6:00 in the morning. Once we got into Melbourne then we got on the buses and drove off to Royal gardens where we would stay till the next day when we would be leaving for Canberra. As a treat we were taken to a footy game. The game was a real treat for us a we were given the chance to go into the umpire’s change rooms. This gave us the chance to meet the umpires and see what they do before a game. We were also given the chance to ask them questions. The game was the saint’s vs the crows at ETIHAD. It ended up being a disappointing game where the saints smashed the crows. We then caught the tram back to the motel and then it was curfew.

Day 2

Today we got up and were told to bring our bags out so they could be loaded onto the buses. The officials then took us to the Melbourne markets which were a bargain hunters dream. We left the markets to go to the airport to take a flight to Canberra which was a very short flight compared to the one which we did on day 1. Once in Canberra everyone expected it to be freezing weather, but the sun was shining and it was a warm day so all the boys were taking off their jumpers. All the umpires then took a 12 seater bus to our accommodation. We unloaded all our gear, got all cosy in our new living quarters for the next week and then went off to dinner. The officials drove us out to the AIS or the Australian Institute of Sport. After all the boys had a pig out of the buffet we went back to the apartments and went to bed.

Day 3

This is the day it all starts. The umpires received their own banner which I thought was pretty cool and all the states and the umpires then did the thing that every opening ceremony gets, the parade. After all the people spoke we were driven off to our games. My first game was at Kingston. This was a good oval which was close to the apartments. Today I only had boundaries. This was a great experience as I was able to do them with a very experienced boundary umpire who knew what she was doing whilst I was just following the ball.  I then had a break followed by another game which again was Boundary.  After these games we walked home as the apartments which were 5 min up the road. 

Day 4

Today was my first 15’s game. I was so stoked but also very nervous. I was umpiring with another W.A umpire so I felt a bit more comfortable. This was a great experience for me as it was the highest grade I have ever done not including school games.

This game gave me great experience as it showed me how fast play moves when you go up years and how much positioning comes into play. After the game I had a break and then I had a boundary. Once these days’ games had concluded we returned to apartments and we were surprised with the chance to go to a rugby game in Canberra. The atmosphere was much like a footy game in W.A. The main reason for this is because Rugby is Canberra’s main sport. 

Day 5

Tuesday was a day off for all the umpires and the 15’s boys and 16’s girls. The officials decided to take us on an excursion of AIS which was pretty incredible and all the players and umpires went and saw a movie. This was a day which allowed the umpires legs a rest which was a great relief.

Day 6

Today I umpired at Marist. This was a great oval for footy. I umpired field for Two 12’s games today. These were great games to umpire as they were probably up to the standard of 14’s games at community. This meant that positioning was key and that when you called a decision you must be confident in it. I was fortunate that I got a break in between my two games.  Today was the day that I realised that a couple of min in the freezing pool would do my legs all the world of good.

Day 7

Today I was at Marist all day. It was a day of full on umpiring. I started with a 12’s field which was a rough game and I had to make sure that nothing was happening behind the play. After that game I then umpired another 12’s game and that game focused more on positioning. For the last game I was fatigued and went into the goals. After the game I had a talk with the match day coach for the umpires who told me how I can go further in umpiring. This advice he gave me a lot of confidence going into the way I could approach my umpiring.

Day 8

Today was another day off for the umpires and 15’s boys and 16’s girls. We visited the War Memorial which was a great experience and we then visited Parliament House. This day off allowed the umpires to get ready for the grand final.

Day 9

Today was the Grand final. We arrived at the ground and it was covered in ice. Canberra is the only place you will ever see this.

I was lucky enough to be given the chance to boundary umpire it. Before the grand final I also had a 15’s boundary to do. The grand final will be an experience I will remember forever as it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Congratulations Alex from all at the DDFUA.