The AFL congratulates Josh James and Glenn James OAM following their recent wins at the National Indigenous Sports Awards.
First held in 1986, the prestigious awards, this year presented by the Indigenous Sports Network, celebrate the wealth of First Nations athletic talent from across the continent.
Proud Yorta Yorta man Glenn James OAM was awarded the National Sportsperson Trailblazer of the Year Award.
Glenn made history as Australia’s first and only known Indigenous VFL umpire and was recently honoured as the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round honouree in 2023, recognising his groundbreaking contributions to Australian Rules Football.
He umpired 166 VFL games from 1977 to 1985, including two grand finals in 1982 and 1984.
A key figure in his community, Glenn is a respected leader in his family and an inspiration to many, particularly in the Goulburn Valley region.
The National Sports Official of the Year Award was taken home by Noongar man and AFLW umpire Joshua James.
Josh was recently named the inaugural recipient of the Glenn James OAM Scholarship for Indigenous umpires.
The scholarship is awarded to an Indigenous talent pathway Umpire that has demonstrated proficiency and potential as a field, boundary or goal umpire and has been identified as having the capability and potential to umpire at an elite level in the AFL and/or AFLW competition.
AFL Executive General Manager Social Policy and Inclusion Tanya Hosch said: "On behalf of the AFL I would like to congratulate Josh and Glenn on this wonderful achievement.
"Glenn has contributed greatly to our game and as the first Indigenous VFL umpire was recently celebrated last year as our Sir Doug Nicholls Round honouree and is a fitting Trailblazer of the Year winner.
"It is wonderful that Josh also received this honour on the same night as Glenn given he was recently named as the inaugural recipient of the Glenn James OAM Scholarship. "
AFL Head of Officiating Stephen McBurney said: "Trailblazer is an apt description for Glenn’s contribution to VFL and AFL umpiring. As a coach of young umpires, Glenn was an incredibly supportive mentor with an infectious sense of humour.
"Josh is a talented goal umpire and an outstanding role model for other young Indigenous umpires wanting to ply their craft in our game and continues to give back and develop the next generation of talent.
"It is brilliant to see Josh recognised for this award after another successful AFLW season."