FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

Community Umpiring Week

Last weekend, the VAFA celebrated Community Umpiring Week. It was great to see many VAFA clubs recognise the umpires, including forming a guard of honour as they entered the ground, playing shaking their hands and/or posing for photos prior to the first bounce, and recognising them in the post-match awards.

700 Games for VAFA Goal Umpire

In Round 5, Ormond and Marcellin players and officials formed a guard of honour to acknowledge the significant achievement by David D’Altera to umpire his 700 th VAFA game. Those in attendance clapped and cheered David as he strode onto EE Gunn Reserve, before doing the toss of the coin.

David commenced with the VAFA in 1985 and initially reached an impressive 450 game milestone as a field umpire. He mainly umpired D Grade and Under 19 matches and was appointed to one Grand Final as a field umpire. He then took up goal umpiring, and last Saturday was his 250 th game as a goal umpire, and 700 th game overall. He was awarded Life Membership of the VAFA Umpire Association in 2008 for meritorious service to the VAFUA.

Post-match, Ormond President Richard Simon presented David with a gift from the club to a thunderous applause from the many Ormond and Marcellin supporters assembled upstairs in the social rooms. Congratulations, David, from all VAFA players and supporters on your significant umpiring milestone.

Ormond Fifth Day Lunch

Ormond AFC held its Fifth Day Lunch last Friday which was hosted by club historian Alan Naylor. Of the 80 attendees, no fewer than nine VAFA clubs were represented, while there were 12 former Big V reps, including 3 Captains and several All Australians reps, 4 Big V coaches/assistants/ selectors, and several other significant VAFA people. Guest speaker was incoming AFL CEO Andrew Dillon who had an entertaining discussion with Luke O’Brien.

St Mary’s women record first win since 2021

It was great to see St Mary’s Salesian women get their first victory since 2021 last Saturday! Well done to everyone in the team.