Yarra Ranges Umpires & Outer East Football
Development Camp
Excelling the training and development of our most aspiring Umpires.
2022 Darwin Development Camp
In early January 2022 when the Northern Territory lifted their borders to fully vaccinated travelers and our (then) Head of Umpiring John Howorth started to plan how he could excel the training and development of our most aspiring Yarra Ranges Umpires.
John is a current listed AFL Umpire (No. 17) and regularly spends time umpiring in Darwin over the off-season to refine his key focus areas. His initiative quickly began to gain momentum and with support from our Association, the Outer East Football League and AFL Northern Territory our first Umpire Development Camp was held in January 2022.
John worked with others to identify some up-and-coming young umpires who were invited to apply for a spot on this exclusive Camp. As part of the application process selected umpires were asked to submit a 300-word essay on why they wanted a spot on the Camp and what influence they expected the opportunity would have on their umpiring career and personal development.
6 Umpires Selected!
Our six Umpires selected to join John in the Top End were:
- Kieren Lazarus
- Sophie Mastaing
- Harrison Pinney
- Daniel Molino
- Alex Tomada
- Francis Nickell.
Yarra Ranges Umpires Association, together with 4D Home Loans and Ontuit Business Support sponsored the team’s uniforms. The League (OEFN) and Association generously contributed some of the costs with the balance of the flights and accommodation picked up by the 6 umpires selected to attend. With lines for PCR testing increasing during the Christmas/New Year break some of our selected Umpires waited up to 7 hours in line to be tested so they could get their clearance and travel arrangements finalised!
On January 6th the wait was over, Harrison, Sophie, Alex, Kieren, Daniel and Francis were finally in the air and on their way to Darwin to meet up with John and start the journey of a lifetime. Over the next 8 days the group were put through their paces attending umpire training sessions, life coaching and mentoring sessions, skills training, fitness and wellness sessions, as well as hard earned down time spent visiting various local tourist attractions.
The Camp was fortunate to have the who’s who of umpiring also in the Top End with John and they all graciously gave up so much of their time to spend with our group - find out who was there below!
Experience of a lifetime in the 'Top End'
As well as umpiring NTFL games, the Camp included the following sessions:
- Skills & Drills Training
- Fitness – a mix of running, swimming, riding and gym strength sessions
- Wellness – meditation & breathing exercises as well as information on nutrition
- Time Management & Goal Setting
- Mentoring & Personal Growth
- Understanding what ‘elite’ is and the behaviours that go with it
Plus, the team all got to enjoy the following local attractions and experiences:
- Adelaide River Jumping Crocodile Cruise
- Litchfield National Park (and swimming in the waterfalls and lakes)
- Royal Flying Doctor Museum
- Darwin Harbour Bombing Museum
- Tour of the Oil Tunnels from the war
- Northern Territory Art & History Museum
- Beach Volleyball
- Time Zone Games
Motivated for success
The umpires attending this Camp are leaving with a renewed confidence and belief in themselves and what they can achieve. This sense of empowerment and self-belief is a pathway to success in the short and longer term. Understanding themselves and how best they can manage their goals and maximise their productivity is a great motivator for our up-and-coming umpires. Our group discovered how important a positive attitude is in creating opportunities in life and in their individual umpiring pathways, and how attitudes influence a team and those around you.
Beyond 2022
Being a part of the Yarra Ranges Umpires Association (YRUA) and participating in our shared passion of umpiring AFL is a rewarding experience for all our junior and senior umpires. Together with the Outer East Football & Netball League (OEFN), the YRUA is committed to the ongoing development of our umpires across all disciplines both on and off the field. Inspired by the success of the Darwin Development Camp our Association will be looking to deliver more exceptional umpiring development pathways during 2023 and beyond!
Get in the Game!
If you want to umpire some amazing football, then YRUA & Outer East can help you get to the top! Keep reading below to find out more about the Development Camp including testimonials, video and photo galleries!
This camp has provided me with a life experience and an umpiring experience I will never forget and made me a more confident person and umpire.
Kieren Lazarus
This camp has been one I will remember forever. I learnt many new life skills I otherwise wouldn’t have and I have created many new friendships that will last for years to come.
Harrison Pinney
This camp allowed me to learn many new and different skills in a variety of ways to improve my knowledge of the game to help further myself in umpiring and as a person.
Sophie Mastaing
This camp was an amazing experience that allowed me to improve my umpiring skills, provide me with knowledge to help reach my umpiring goals and further myself as a person.
Daniel Molino
This camp has provided me with life experience and an umpiring experience I will never forget. I will never forget this experience as it has made me a more confident umpire and person.
Alex Tomada
The camp not only helped me develop confidence as an umpire and as a person, but also gave me the opportunity to experience a lot of Australia I hadn’t seen before. It is an experience I will never forget and an opportunity I will be forever grateful for.
Francis Nickell
Our umpires say "thank you" to AFL Listed Umpire Nick Brown
Current AFL listed Field Umpire Nick Brown, who we were lucky enough to have join our Umpires in Darwin at our recent OEFN & YRUA Umpire Development Camp, volunteers his time with Very Special Kids. This wonderful organisation provides specialist palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and tailored support for their families – through life, death and bereavement.
At the end of the 8 day Development Camp in January 2022 our young umpires Harrison, Sophie, Alex, Kieren, Daniel and Francis all gladly chipped in to raise $300 which, through Nick, they donated to Very Special Kids.
Very Special Kids rely on the generosity of our community to ensure seriously-ill children, young people and their families don’t have to endure their difficult journey alone. Follow the link below to find out more about them and the important work they do including links to Donate, Fundraise and even Volunteer!