Boundary umpire Melissa Sambrooks has been awarded the AFLW Umpiring Rising Star awards at tonight’s W Awards in Melbourne.
The young boundary umpire from Victoria is currently in her second AFLW season and umpired 13 games during the 2023 NAB AFLW Season, including two finals, and has excelled at the elite level.
Sambrook’s journey through state league pathways started in 2016 in regional Victoria before relocating to Melbourne to pursue an elite umpiring career. Six years later in 2022 she made her senior debut in the VFL and was elevated to the AFLW list later that season.
AFL General Manager of Umpiring Lisa Lawry said Sambrook’s recognition was very well deserved.
“Melissa has had an outstanding AFLW season and has continued to excel at the elite level, evident in her selection for the Finals series this season,” said Ms Lawry.
“She is an incredibly dedicated umpire with an outstanding work ethic and is driven to continuously improve both on and off the field.
“We are committed to growing and developing female umpires in our elite program and this award will greatly assist in Melissa’s development as she pursues her elite umpiring career.”
As part of the award, Sambrook will receive a $10,000 grant to put towards the development of her elite umpiring career.
The criteria for the AFLW Umpire Rising Star is someone who had umpired fewer than 20 AFLW matches at the commencement of the AFLW Season, demonstrated the potential to be an umpiring star in all AFL competitions, and demonstrated that they have a strong team focus and a commitment to elite standards.
