Lisa Compton-Robins hopes her progression as a field umpire in the NFNL’s Division 1 men’s football competition gives young females the encouragement to take up umpiring.
Compton-Robins officiated her first Division 1 senior men’s football match in the Round 2 clash between Hurstbridge and Macleod at Ben Frilay Oval.
Compton-Robins started umpiring at the age of 11, following in the footsteps of her father Lee – who has umpired for over 20 years.
She said was lost for words when NFNL Head of Umpiring Cameron Nash called her the Monday before the game to tell her she had been appointed as field umpire for her first Division 1 men’s game.
“Initially I was very excited. Really over the moon about it,” Compton-Robins told NFNL.org.au.
“Leading up to the game, the morning of, I was actually getting a bit nervous.
“I had to keep reminding myself that I was given this game for a reason. My coaches believe I am up to this level.”
Compton-Robins credits NFNL Development Squad coach Neville Nash for her move from boundary to field umpire.
“He saw me umpire at the 2017 AFL International Cup on the boundary, and we spoke a lot and he thought I had a bit of potential on the field and he kind of just planted the seeds for my move to field umpiring.”
As well as blazing a trail for young female umpires, Compton-Robins has been appointed the NFNL’s Female Umpire Welfare Officer for the 2021 season.
Her role provides an additional resource to the league’s female umpires, ensuring they feel comfortable within the NFNL umpiring team.
“It’s a newly-appointed role this year. Cameron Nash has come from the VFL and they had something like that and found it helped with their female numbers,” Compton-Robins said.
“I know coming down, especially by yourself, it’s male-dominated which can definitely be very daunting. Fortunately for me I knew my dad and I brought a friend to training when I started when I was 11. I had someone with me which made it a lot easier.
“This year the NFNL are really trying to grow their female umpiring numbers. My objective is to get more players down and keep them.
“We ran a female come and try day with Eleni Glouftsis (AFL Umpire and NFNL Community Umpire Ambassador) and we had 10 girls show up and a few of them have stayed.
“We are running another one in a couple weeks.”
Compton-Robins believes umpiring is about more than just fitness and earning extra pocket money.
“I have been able to learn and grow as a person. Having that discipline and structure to adhere to,” she said.
“Umpiring has really made me who I am today. You learn confidence, leadership, responsibility and respect.
Her advice’ for aspiring umpires is to “literally just do it”.
“You can do it if you’re a male, female, whatever age,” she said.
Compton-Robins’ followed up her debut performance by officiating the Anzac Day match between Heidelberg and Macleod on Sunday.
