The VFUA would like to congratulate the following umpires who will officiate in massive milstones this weekend.
- Field Umpire Matthew Brown who will umpire Essendon v Port Melbourne on Saturday in his 150th VFL Senior game. And;
- Goal Umpire Peter Nastasi who will umpire his 100th Senior game when Casey take on Box Hill in the ABC TV game on Saturday.
The VFUA wish these two umpires the best of luck this weekend.
14 May
Next Social Event - Lawn Bowls Day
Held on Sunday 26th May, the VFUA have put into action a Lawn Bowls Social day. With only one Senior game on this day, we thought it would be great to have a BBQ and a bowl in the heart of Melbourne at the City of Melbourne Bowling Club (Flagstaff Gardens). All members, life members and past presidents are invited to attend. From 1-4pm we will throw the footy away and grab a bowl to bounce, throw or get behind the flight as it rolls down the pitch of Flagstaff Gardens. Total cost will be $20 per person which includes bowls, BBQ and a great afternoon with your fellow umps. Drinks will be available at bar prices.
To view the full advert, please click here. For more information or to register your attendance please see your track rep or send an email to info@vfua.org.au
14 May
Life Member Induction
This year, around 15 life members joined the VFUA executive on Sunday 12 May for the annual Life Members Dinner. The dinner was held at the Leinster Arms in Collingwood where life members from all squads, and even trainers were in attendance.
The VFUA has long treated the life membership as a very important aspect and significant achievement of our association. The dinner is a way to recognise those who have working tirelessly in the past to make umpiring and the assoiciation at this level the way it is today.
The highlight of the evening was the formal induction of Greg Denison into life membership of the VFUA. Greg, who has been involved (directly and indirectly) with the VFUA and the VFL Umpiring Department for the past 12 years, ten of which he was a running umpire and member of the VFUA and the past two years where he was coach of the VFL Development field umpires.
To continue reading more of Greg's nomination, and his interview with life member David Flegg please click here.
Pictured left is President Andrew McCoy and new life member Greg Denison.
8 May
State Game Selections
This coming weekend we see the State Game played between VFL and WAFL in Perth. The VFUA wishes to congratulate the following AFL Victoria Umpires on being selected to umpire this game:
Field umpire - Andrew Talbot
Boundary umpire - Jake Robertson
Goal umpire - Michael Craig
The VFUA wishes these umpires all the best as they travel to Perth for this game. The match will be televised on ABC TV at 2pm on Saturday.
6 May
PEOPLE OF THE SMJFL: VFL UMPIRE CAI DAVIES
When Cai Davies started umpiring in the SMJFL in 2007 as a 13 year old, he admits he was only doing it for the money.
But Cai had no idea how being an umpire would change him as a person and change his goals in life.
Check out a bumper-umpire edition of the VFL Record including an editorial from Grant Williams, great article celebrating Dean Jones 100th VFL senior match, and a appreciation of umpring at VFL Level
Photo gallery updated with shots from Williamstown v. Werribee - click here
15 April
It is with deep sadness the VFUA advises that Anthony Hunter was tragically killed in a motorcycle/car crash in Lilydale on Friday night (12 April 2013).
Anthony (32) was a massive contributor to the VFUA and AFL Victoria Umpiring Department. Anthony joined the VFL umpiring panels in 2003 as a field umpire where he umpired 44 TAC Cup games and 28 VFL Reserve games. He than switched disciplines in 2009 where he umpired 9 TAC, 12 VFL Reserve and 20 VFL Senior games as a boundary umpire. In 2012, he retired from umpiring due to injury. In 2013 he took up boundary observing for AFL Victoria. Anthony has also served on the VFUA Executive Committee since 2011.
The VFUA passes on its condolences to Anthony's family, friends and umpiring colleagues.
8 April
Statistics and milestones updated for the week ending 7 April - 8 VFL first-gamers - Check them out
2 April
2014-16 fees and conditions
One of the major objectives for the VFUA in 2013 is the negotiation of a fees and conditions agreement for 2014-16.
The sub-committee charged with this is: Peter Kelly (EO), Andrew McCoy, Jason Schilling (field),Steve Piperno, Michael Craig (goal) and Nick Laurence (boundary).
All members are encouraged to review the current agreement and provide feedback, suggetions etc to their representative on the sub-committee as soon as possible. There will be a formal process for you to provide feedback at a later stage but the more ideas to consider the better.
Former VFL and now current AFL boundary umpire Chris Gordon was recently interviewed by the AFL website, click here to view.
VFUA Executive Committee objectives for 2013
Following the Executive Committee meeting on 24 March the objectives paper was updated. The list is not exhaustive and is subject to change during the course of the year.
Mid-March at AFL Victoria Umpires HQ and there is both joy and disappointment in the air.
Those who have been successful in trialling for senior or development squad positions are ecstatic at their success and those who have fallen short must set themselves for a better year and another crack at promotion in 2014.... read more
15 March
Burgo and Fish in the big-time
The AFL last night annouced that the VFUA's Tristan Burgess (left)was successful in obtaining the single remaining spot available on the field umpires list for season 2013.
Leigh Fisher (right), also a VFUA member, was successful in gaining a spot as the AFL’ Player to Umpire Pathway’ umpire, making him available for selection throughout the year. Congratulations to both Tristan and Leigh on this significant achievement.
Also, congratulations to former VFL umpire Brent Pawley, VFUA member Andrew Talbot, Ben Lehner, Curtis Deboy and Aaron Hall who have all been appointed to the supplementary list for the first time.
Shaun Gleeson continues on the supplementary list.
There were no new Victorian boundary umpires for 2013 and Michael Palm's promotion to the AFL had been announced in December.
Best wishes to all for a great year in the AFL
13 March
Baby News
The VFUA would like to extend its congratulations to the following people:
- Field Umpire Brett and wife Sally Ritchie on the arrival of a baby boy Braxton Jake Ritchie, born on 18 February 2013.
- VFUA Life Member, Past President and current AFL Field Umpire Rob and wife Liv on the arrival of a baby girl Harriet Lucille Findlay, born on 19 February 2013
- Goal Umpire and VFUA Life Member Ben and wife Betty James on the arrival of a baby boy Adrian James, born on 19 February 2013.
- VFUA Life Member Greg and wife Jacqui Denison on the arrival of a baby boy Ethan James Denison, born on 3 March 2013.
Recent Weddings
The VFUA would also like to extend its congratulations to the following members who have tied the knot over the summer months:
- VFUA President Andrew McCoy
- VFUA executive member Michael Curtis
- Senior field umpire Matthew Brown
- Development field umpire James Langmaid
6 March
Get him to the sub-continent... quickly... Well done Anthony
Deepdene Uniting's Anthony Kyrkou ends season with a monster knock It's not quite on the same level as Michael Clarke's epic 329 last summer, but at Deepdene Uniting Cricket Club Anthony Kyrkou's innings in the final round of the season might be remembered for just as long.... click to read more...
5 March
Don't forget to make sure your Mini-Olympics donations are to your track representatives this week
Another year, another winner. This year witnessed the Development field umpires (pictured left) secure the Paul Anderson Shield in a white wash victory. What seemed to have the potential for a wet night when the skies opened up throughout the early part of the day, fortunately became a sunny afternoon and the night presented itself beautifully.
The 2012, 4 x 200m relay handicapping panel were shown the door, making for a much closer contest this year. Track representative Michael Curtis flew out of the gates for the senior fieldies setting the pace for the rest of the runners. The field quickly gained on the goal umpires and never looked like turning back, all four goal umpires reported to pulling up with wind burn. Nick Finch tried his best to pull back the lead for the senior fieldies but couldn’t catch James Alexander for the Development field umpires who kicked off the night in great fashion.
Once again, the soccer was a big hit for everyone, overall producing a fairly even result with not one team winning every match.
The boundary throw-in contest proved to be another hit with the crowd. While Gareth Verberne had all the support from his fellow umpires withstanding an abundance of ice thrown at him, it couldn’t quite get the senior fieldies over the line for this one, development fieldies taking out the event with the help of Matthew Piper’s dead eye.
Two words. Bouncing and Robbo. After last year’s performance Jake Robertson didn’t fail to bring back the hype of his dramatic bouncing style by inciting the crowd to applaud for his bouncing show which everyone seemed to enjoy it as much as him. Steve Piperno’s self-proclaimed “king of bouncing” didn’t turn out the way he would have liked; a hint of crowd sledging may have got the better of him. Mitch Cole failed to gain a point for the development fieldies as the Development boundary umpires took out the prize for this one.
Both Rob Young and Peter Nastasi smashed out an incredible 88 push ups in 60 seconds to top the leader board for push-ups for the Senior Field and Goal umpires respectively.
As the numbers were crunched to get a winner for this year’s Mini-Olympics President Andrew McCoy presented the Anderson family with flowers and thanked them for their ongoing support to the association, in particular the great night that can be shared amongst all members and the Anderson family in memory of Paul who tragically passed away in 2001 fighting cancer.
Development Field Track Representative Adam Havelberg accepted the 2013 Paul Anderson Shield on behalf of his squad.
The night was concluded with everyone enjoying the sensationally barbecued snags cooked by local chef and executive member Anthony Hunter.
A big thank you goes to Dan Beard for his efforts in helping conduct the night, and of course all members for their donations in support of the Cancer Council Victoria.
21 December
The 2013 AFL Development League fixture has been released
The VFUA has long treated the life membership as a very important aspect and significant achievement of our association. The dinner is a way to recognise those who have working tirelessly in the past to make umpiring and the assoiciation at this level the way it is today. 
2014-16 fees and conditions
Comings and goings 
Burgo and Fish in the big-time
5 March