HISTORY was created with the announcement of the 2014 AFL Victoria field umpiring panel.
In a first for the Peter Jackson VFL, female field umpire Lucinda Lopes was added to the VFL Field Umpires Development Squad – the first female field umpire in the history of the competition to achieve this.
The Northern Football League umpire has spent the past four years as part of AFL Victoria’s Female Umpire Academy under the guidance of AFL field umpire Marty Ellis, with the Academy designed to support and develop talented female field umpires.
Lopes’ achievements in the Academy were highlighted with her back to back awarding of the Joanne Cox Medal – an award based on Academy members’ commitment to excellence, dedication to umpiring, helping others, being supportive, encouraging and always a team player.
She was one of three field umpires from the Academy – the others being Libby Toovey (SFL) and Amy McQuade (EDFL) – who were nominated to trial for the 2014 VFL Field Umpire Development Squad.
She also claimed the NFL’s Most Improved Senior Umpire award in 2012.
AFL Victoria Head Coach of Umpiring Cameron Nash said it was great reward for effort for Lopes and the other 11 new umpires that were added to the development squad, as well as the seven umpires who were elevated to the senior list this year.
“It is great reward for Lucinda’s dedication and application to her umpiring.
“During the trial process she met all the fitness benchmarks, performed well in the practice matches and her attitude is first class. In the end she picked herself,” Nash said.
“It should be also acknowledged the great work done by Kevin Smith at the NFL, plus Neville Nash and Marty Ellis at the AFL Victoria Female Umpiring Academy who have greatly assisted in Lucinda’s development.”
