Day 1

I was very surprised when the AFL contacted me about one month ago to take on the role as manager and field umpires coach for 2012 AFL Under 16's Championships. Yes, my team are doing some great work at the Riddell Umpires each week, but we are small fish in a very large pond. After the first day here in Sydney, I now am starting to realise how big the AFL pond really is.

The Under 16's Championships is a round robin tournament where each state enter a team of their best young footballers to compete. The the AFL clubs and talent scouts attend to see who the future of our great game are going to be. 

In some ways it's the same story with the umpires. Each state select a field, goal and boundary umpire who also have ambitions to make it to the AFL.  The AFL also select 3 umpire coaches, along with an AFL trainer to work with the umpires over the week. I am lucky enough to be one of those. 

Day 1 is a long one for all involved. Everyone, apart form the two Sydney based umpires, fly in from across the country and set up base 10mins from Blacktown, where the majority of the games are held.

Unlike the teams competing, the umpires have never met each other, so the night is spent getting to know names and faces before our first games tomorrow. 

Umpiring can sometimes be a lonely sport so it was so great to see young people enjoying each others company in a positive environment. Many laughs were has as they learnt about each other and the many corners of the county each of them come from. For some to find out that the guys from the Northern Territory are in off season right now (as it is a summer sport way up north) was a great moment in itself. 

The night session also involved setting up team rules and expectations along with all the necessary housekeeping required so that umpires are ready to go for tomorrow. Each discipline also elected a team leader to form a leadership group. 

The night ended with most going back to their room to watch the last quarter of the AFL. 

Big day tomorrow....... 2 games...... and our first glimpse into umpiring in a professional environment.