Two participants from the AFL Umpiring Diversity Academy have officiated in grand finals in just their first season of umpiring.
The Academy, which was launched in March 2015, was instituted to expand and diversify umpiring ranks across community football.
Australian International Academy students Mohamad Soueid and Habib Khalaf were recently appointed to boundary umpire an Essendon District Football League (EDFL) Under 10’s Grand Final at Coburg City Oval.
It capped off a successful season for the two boys who had never previously been involved in the game in an official capacity.
AFL Head of Umpires Wayne Campbell said it was an exciting year for umpiring in the multicultural space, with the launch of two Umpiring Diversity Academies and the formation of an official AFL Umpiring Diversity Advisory Council.
“It was great to see participants of these academies have so much fun learning the skills of umpiring.
“Habib has been selected as one of seven first year umpires to participate in the Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade and umpire the NAB AFL Auskick grid game at half time of this year’s Toyota AFL Grand Final.”
As members of the academy, the two boys, along with 11 others, went through 13 weeks of training with EDFL umpires coach Mark Volich conducting the program.
The metropolitan-based Umpiring Diversity Academy is just one of two which have been formed in Victoria with the second based in Shepparton.
The Shepparton Academy was launched by AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, it was the first regional academy with 15 participants involved throughout the year.
Ten students transitioned into umpiring in the Goulburn Valley Football League with a further five umpiring grand finals.
In an extraordinary achievement one participant, Omid Amiri, umpired three grand finals in one day.
Ariel Sutherland is another participant who has become a goal umpire and is very keen on progressing through the ranks after meeting Chelsea Roffey.
All members of the Shepparton-based academy umpired senior football at some stage throughout the season and are now members of the GVFL Umpires Association.
CEO Gillon McLachlan says the AFL is focused on increasing the number of umpires from multicultural backgrounds.
"We know that by diversifying umpiring groups there will be greater recruitment opportunities for field, goal and boundary umpires," he said.
These initiatives include a Multicultural Pathway with the chance to umpire at the National Kickstart Championships and All Nations Cup.
The AFL will implement diversity academies in all states of Australia with the aim of supporting multicultural umpires’ transition to community football.
