The Next Gen Field Umpires Development Squad celebrated season 2012 with a break-up dinner and award ceremony recently.
The Queensland Next Gen Field Umpire Development Squad held their awards dinner earlier this month.
Squad umpires and their families joined together to recap the highlights of the season and celebrate the success of Queensland umpires in 2012.
Two awards were presented on the night to Development Squad members for outstanding performances this year.
Jayden Henderson (AFL Gold Coast Juniors) was recognised as the Youth Development Squad Umpire of the Year while Scott McKinnon (AFL Brisbane) was awarded the Senior Development Squad Umpire of the Year.
Jayden has had an outstanding season of umpiring including officiating a Division One reserves game for the first time.
Scott has also had an outstanding season with the whistle after joining the senior development group from Brisbane juniors this year.
Queensland AFL/NEAFL Umpire coach Cameron Nash has Scott flagged to break into the NEAFL umpiring panel in 2013 based on his efforts.
Nash also addressed the group, outlining the expectations from where they are now to eventually reaching the AFL.
“We have several umpires on the NEAFL Panel this year who were sitting right where you were last year and we are hoping in a couple of years these guys go on to the AFL. This shows with hard work you can succeed to the highest level,” Nash said.
Development Squad Coaches, Troy Friend and Nic Palmer, echoed Nash in saying that the group had made a lot of progress this year but would need to continue working hard to the next level.
Based on the success of the 2012 Development Squad AFL Queensland is hoping to expand the program in the coming seasons.
State Umpire Development Officer Simon Devine said AFLQ was looking to include other umpiring programs as well as regional development.
“We are looking to continue the success of the current Development Squad Model but we are also looking to initiate a Boundary and Goal umpire program which will work in with the current Field Umpire Model,” Devine said.
“We are also very hopeful in getting a regional Development Squad off the ground in season 2013. We’ve identified a lot of talent all over the state and we need to find a way to engage these umpires.”
All umpires are looking forward to their respective finals series over the next month before they enjoy a small break leading into the 2013 season.
The Next Gen Field Umpire Development Squad aims to support talent-identified umpires through a development pathway.
The Youth Squad provides support, motivation and education to assist umpires to move into senior football.
The Senior Squad provides additional support in the initial years for umpires looking to officiate at the highest level of senior football.
Umpires are nominated by regional umpiring coaches in order to trial for the Squad.
For more information on the Next Gen Field Umpire Development Squad contact Simon Devine on 3033 5433 or simond@aflq-new.fspdev.com
