ROBBO’S waves his way to 400
This Saturday local Broken Hill goal umpire Gary Robertson will officiate in his 400th senior match as a Goal Umpire. Following on the back last week of Shane Chapman’s 400th game as a Field Umpire it’s a wonderful celebration of the role Umpires also play in local football.
This weekend is Community Umpiring Round in the AFL where nationally Leagues pause to acknowledge the contribution local umpires make to sustaining local football. In Broken Hill we have a proud history of the League appointing Umpires every week, rather than Clubs having to supply, said AFL Broken Hill Chairman Peter Nash. “Gary has officiated in 804 matches covering all grades from Under 13’s to Seniors including many a cold July Wednesday night umpiring Under 18’s.”
“Robbo has been a wonderful umpire for the BHFL / AFLBH since 1992 not only in his ability to make the right match day decision but also in his extended role as Goal Umpires coach & mentor to so many fellow Umpires. They don’t come any calmer than Robbo, said Nash. “Any form of AFL umpiring requires good concentration, skill execution and knowledge of the rules and it’s in the detail that Gary excels” said Nash.
Gary lists umpiring his first of twenty Senior Grand Finals as a personal highlight along with the very first Miners Cup game at AAMI Stadium in Adelaide back in 2008 between Broken Hill and the Far North FL (Roxby region). Gary also had the privilege of sharing the flags with the “icon of local goal umpires” Phil Thomas when he umpired his 500th game. As for his peers Gary listed Mick Dally, Chapman, Kym Files, Leo Sheehan and Steve Pascoe as umpires who excelled in their chosen field. “Goal Umpires have a good viewpoint for the craft of kicking goals and there was none better than South’s star of the 90’s Brad Brooks, said Robertson.
One of my funnier moments happened while umpiring an Under 18 match on a Wednesday night. Running to one side in an attempt to make a decision my boot laces became tangled with each other, locking my legs together and causing me to do a swan dive to the ground. I received a standing ovation from all the spectators behind me, as well as from my fellow umpires. I was still able to make the right call, joked Robertson.
Umpiring is a team effort and Goal Umpires need to work together as they are the match day “official scorers” and need to come together at the end of every quarter to double check and signal all clear to the scoreboard attendants. Goal Umpires also work closely with boundary umpires who often get caught on the quick break. Critically the Goal Umpires are the sole decision maker on the shot at goal, deciding on accuracy or whether the ball has been touched etc. As you see so often on TV there can be some very tight calls when lunging defenders try to touch the ball or there is a scrimmage of Players on the goal line.
Robertson philosophically stated one of his disappointments was that too few former players took up Umpiring. They know the game and it’s a wonderful way to stay involved and support the next generation of players. As for next year I will see how the legs are holding up at the end of the season and make a decision then. Every umpire needs the support of their family, without that support I could not have reached this milestone.
Gary has been a remarkably loyal and reliable Goal Umpire for 24 years and AFL BH is most appreciative of his service to the game, said Nash. All Clear Robbo!
Last Modified on 12/05/2016 15:59