Terry Maher, a long standing and well respected member of the NFL umpiring community, umpired his 600th A-Grade game earlier this year.
Maher reached the mark when he goal umpired the Round 3 game between Eltham and Montmorency, with all 600 officiated in the NFL/DVFL.
He finished the 2012 season with 599 A-Grade games next to his name and was not sure if he would return in 2013.
Coming back from a relaxing overseas holiday with his wife Sue, Terry snuck back into town with his 600th A-Grade game appointment catching most of his umpiring colleagues by surprise.
The first they knew about it was when the appointments went online the Friday before the game. But that is Terry’s style – modest, with little regard for fanfare.
Maher has always been involved in sport, having played football for Deer Park and district cricket for Footscray for seven years, as well as tennis, squash and golf.
The decision to take up umpiring came after a return from a 12-year stay in the United Kingdom, feeling the desire to keep an active role in the game.
In 1982 Terry became a goal umpire. He spent his first season umpiring in B-Grade but was quickly elevated to A-Grade the following season.
He reached his 100th A-Grade milestone game in 1988 and his first Division 1 A Grade grand final in 1994. That match between Northcote Park and Bundoora remains the highlight of his 32-year umpiring career.
“It wasn’t the best game of football, but it was more the prestige that came with it,” Maher said.
It was the first of seven A-Grade Grand Finals, with Maher having also umpired in over 75 A-Grade finals.
Being around the game for so long, he has noticed the various changes the game has made. In particular, he has seen the increased speed, changes in rules, addition of more umpires and higher interchange rotations.
With his humble character, it’s no surprise that Maher has gained copious amounts of respect from his fellow umpires and has had an influence in their success.
He is often described as one of nature’s gentlemen by those around him, with fellow goal umpire Peter Francis likening him to an uncle-figure.
One thing Maher tries to instil in young umpires is to enjoy the game.
So, does Terry have another season in him?
“I’m thinking of continuing but I’ll wait and see if my body feels okay,” he said.
Everybody within the Northern Umpire Association and Northern Football League congratulates Terry on reaching such a magnificent milestone.
Well done on a glorious career and we wish you great success for the future.
