The DDFUA is pleased to announce that Shaun Gilbert has recently been appointed the Open Rules Coach for 2012.

Following an exhaustive search Gilbert emerged as a highly enthusiastic and qualified candidate for the position. Gilbert brings a wealth of umpiring experience to the role and was formerly a match day coach in the Demons District.

Gilbert will be responsible for the DDFUA's Senior Panel umpires and will be tasked with preparing them to umpire 13s-17s football. The Senior Panel is burgeoning with a growing group of young umpires who will no doubt benefit from Gilbert's positive attitude towards umpiring.

DDFUA Umpire Manager, Daniel Gibbons, said "that the DDFUA is looking forward to seeing what Shaun will bring to the role. We are confident that he is the right person for the job and we are very pleased that he has agreed to take on the position."

The DDFUA would also like to recognise former Open Rules Coach, Russell Cooke, who stepped down from the position to pursue other interests this year. Russell made an invaluable contribution towards the development of the Senior Panel last year.