The NFNL wishes to congratulate Joel Clamp, who on Monday night was crowned the VFL’s 2024 Field Umpire of the Year.
As well as this prestigious award, Clamp will also officiate the 2024 VFL Grand Final this Sunday at Ikon Park between Werribee and Southport.
It comes after an excellent 2023 season, in which he was announced as the AFLW All-Australian field umpire and officiated that season’s AFLW Grand Final.
He was also named as an emergency in last year’s VFL decider.
His umpiring journey began in the NFNL, where he went on to umpire the 2016 Division 2 Grand Final between Hurstbridge and North Heidelberg.
After joining the VFL development squad in 2017, he was elevated to the senior VFL list in 2018.
Clamp will also be joined by Nick Scott (emergency) in this Sunday’s VFL Grand Final umpiring team, with Scott too beginning his umpiring career in the NFNL.
NFNL Head of Umpiring Martin Ellis congratulated Clamp on his accomplishments and believes he has the potential to officiate at the highest level in the years to come.
“Joel absolutely has the talent to go on and umpire AFL football,” he said.
“He has earned the opportunity at the elite level and is going down a great pathway that has seen other NFNL umpires go on to officiate at AFL level.”
