Former NFNL field umpire Jack Edwards reached a special milestone last weekend when he officiated his 150th VFL match during the Northern Bullants vs Carlton clash at Preston City Oval.
Since joining the VFL development squad in 2010, Edwards has umpired the 2012 TAC Cup (now NAB League) Grand Final and the 2014 VFL Grand Final.
It was a memorable occasion for Edwards, with his brother Matt officiating as a goal umpire in the same game.
Speaking to NFNL.org,au, Edwards was honoured to have surpassed such an important milestone and was even more thankful to have been able to accomplish the feat with his brother by his side.
“We’ve done a few VFL matches before, but we don’t umpire together all that often so to get a game with him on a special day was something that I am very grateful for,” he said.
Edwards joined the NFNL umpiring ranks at just 12 years of age, but it was an activity that he had always wanted to be a part of.
“I played football for Greensborough from a young age and knew I wasn’t any good or going to progress much further in that aspect and umpiring was always something I was going to get into at some stage whilst going to training with my dad, Craig who was a boundary umpire,” he said.
“It was when I entered Year 7, I decided to give footy away as a player and take on umpiring. Initially, it was to get fitter and earn some pocket money but after starting, I’ve loved it ever since.”
With over a decade of experience under his belt, Edwards described the many benefits that can come from being an umpire at any level.
“Being able to manage and communicate with people is probably the most important part of our job, aside from paying free kicks, and I think by doing this regularly on the field it naturally translates into your professional career,” he said.
“The composed nature in which we need to talk to players in the heat of the moment teaches you how to remain calm and communicate in a way in which perceives you as being in control of your emotions.
“In terms of resilience within umpiring, we have our setbacks, and we sometimes don’t get the game we want, but to have the ability to keep remaining positive is something that umpiring has taught me, probably more so over the past few years in particular.”
Edwards has also umpired 11 AFL games, making his debut in 2015 as a 23-year-old, an event that remains as one of his many great achievements.
“To live out the dream of walking out on the MCG in front of over 40 thousand people is something I will never forget,” he said.
“I’ve had some other great memories too, for example back in the NFNL days, there was an Anzac night match between Montmorency and Heidelberg which I did in 2009. The crowd kept building all night and to umpire and share that experience with my dad was very special.
That game sticks out in particular as there were a lot of instances in that game that kept us on our toes from a management perspective which we handled well, and I think that helped me prove to myself that I was ready for the next step in my career”.
Edwards also strongly encouraged others to be a part of the umpiring program, particularly at a time in which there are a great need for umpires at local level.
“Umpiring can at times have a negative perception and we’re moving in the right direction to change this, but we need more people to step up and get involved. It teaches you lots of skills, earns you some money and you get to stay involved in the game well past the age players retire,” he said.
“It’s easy to sit back and be critical of free kicks both at AFL level and local level, but until you have put yourself in the umpire’s shoes, I think you should reserve your judgement. Plus, umpiring can be a great career pathway too.”
NFNL Head of Umpiring, Cameron Nash, praised the efforts of Edwards throughout his umpiring career thus far.
“I was fortunate to coach Jack when I was the VFL Umpires Coach. Jack umpired the 2014 VFL Grand Final in my first year as coach and I’m still following his career now,” he said.
“He is a hard-working umpire who leaves no stone unturned to get the very best out of himself.”
The NFNL congratulates Edwards on this fantastic achievement and wishes him well for the future.
The NFNL is still recruiting umpires for this season. Please contact NFNL Head of Umpiring Cameron Nash for more information, cnash@nfnl.org.au
