Instead the Flower and Heard families can be found at Cazalys training ahead of their weekend appointments as AFL Cairns umpires, often officiating on the same games.
It is a unique opportunity for the whole family to be involved in the same sporting contest and Peter Flower, who will serve in his first senior grand final as goal umpire on Saturday, relishes it.
“I love being involved in senior footy, plus you get fit, stay fit and we all earn a bit of pocket money,” the father said.
“All four of us are out here a couple of times a week training and it’s a pretty good bonding experience.”
A junior coach, Flower said he spent the first month apologising for his behaviour when he began umpiring.
But the goal umpire said times were changing and a certain level of respect had come across the game.
“It’s only a minority that feed it to you, most are pretty pretty friendly.”
Son Darcy will be on the boundary line in the senior decider helping dad out, while Josh Flower will officiate in the women’s final.
The Heard family has Will, Hayley, Stacey and Luke involved in finals action.
“I’ve been an umpire for 18 years and the kids have slowly started doing it as well,” Luke, a former TAC Cup and VFL umpire who will patrol the middle of another senior decider, said.
“I’ve been in Cairns for 10 years and seen the footy improve and the kids and my wife enjoying it.
“You’ve got to be pretty thick skinned but I do think the camaraderie needs to be there and officials must remember that it’s not our game, it’s the players’.”
“It’s a great family environment really and the best bit is that you never lose.”
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Article Courtesy of Murray Wenzel The Cairns Post
Last Modified on 17/09/2015 10:26