Jacob Stuckey received the highest honour at Gippsland Umpires Association presentation night recently, taking out the Golden Whistle trophy.
Click here for a full photo gallery from the 2017 presentation night at the Warragul Downtowner
The Golden Whistle is provided annually by AFL Victoria throughout all umpiring groups to recognise an umpire who is identified as having the potential to umpire at the highest level and in the formative stage of their umpiring career.
The award is based on commitment and drive, with Stuckey’s efforts to seek feedback rather than wait for it to come to him an example of his drive to succeed at his craft.
Josh Nooy was a standout among his peers on the way to taking out the field umpire of the year award.
A drive and desire to officiate at the elite level helped Noah Pallot take out boundary umpire of the year.
Noah has sought feedback on required fitness levels and has been nominated for next year’s VFL trials.
Performing to a high standard week in week out helped Megan Vistarini win goal umpire of the year. Megan also showed leadership as a mentor for new female goal umpires, and became the first female umpire in Association history to officiate a senior grand final.
Identified as one of Gippsland Umpires Association’s better communicators on the field, Oliver Colman received the most improved field umpire award.
Having exceeded expectations on-field this season, Kohen Lott-Stephens received the award for most improved boundary umpire.
The junior took a big step this season, with his improvement seeing him officiate 13 senior games.
Kohen’s commitment to also helping the club off-field helped him obtain the GUA Social Club umpiring scholarship. Awarded to an umpire coming through the ranks, the scholarship aims to help with costs associated with their continued development in umpiring.
Glen Frost’s commitment to improve his goal umpire not only saw him appointed to a senior grand final, but also awarded most improved goal umpire.
Frost has also inspired other members, working with them to bring them with him to drive improvement from the entire goal umpire group.
Best first year field umpire Cameron Lyon also showed a strong desire to improve each week, quickly progressing through the ranks to senior football. His appointment to the senior second semi-final demonstrated how far he has come in just one season of field umpiring.
Best first year boundary umpire Casey Mills showed great potential when arriving pre-season and carried that through, umpiring 14 senior games.
Casey is already looking ahead to involvement in the AFL Victoria Country Umpire Academy, and is also keen to follow his umpiring through to the elite level.
New goal umpire Florian Feil settled into his role quickly, and was awarded best first year goal umpire.
Tim Price’s progression to become a reliable senior umpire week in, week out saw him receive the encouragement award for the Field umpires.
A commitment to umpiring saw Zak Kenny awarded both the encouragement award for boundary umpires and the fitness coaches award.
The junior umpire strives to give his best and while not ultimately selected to officiate a grand final, continued his support of the umpiring team.
A commitment and drive to improve his fitness to in turn improve his umpiring saw Wayne Hansch awarded the fitness coaches award for senior umpires. Hard work on the training track paid off, with Hansch achieving his goal to officiate his first senior final.
First year goal umpire Sam Went positive attitude to coaching saw him receive the encouragement award for goal umpires.
Gerard Boland was recognised by his peers, voted by the members as most valuable umpire.
Umpires who officiated representative football were recognised with certificates, as were accreditation program graduates.
Club service awards were also presented to umpires who went above and beyond their role as umpire to assist the general running of the club.
Jamie Warden received the highly sought-after Tom Bibby Memorial for best club person following a tight vote from members.
Warden has been instrumental in organising social functions, fundraising and working with current members to create a tangible retention strategy for the club.
Last Modified on 13/10/2017 10:25