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Hall Of Fame

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The WRFL Umpires Association honours past and present umpires, administrators and officials in its Hall of Fame.

The association has decided to honour past and present umpires, administrators and officials by creating a Hall of Fame. Incorporated in that will be a "Legends Status" for certain people that the committee decide this honour is warranted to be awarded. The intention is that a selection committee will use certain criteria that have been set to make a decision on a person worthy of entry into the Hall of Fame. It is intended to use the Mid Season Dinner Dance to launch this and in 2003, the "Year of the Umpire", a total of ten people were inducted including one given "Legend Status". Each year thereafter the committee will decide on further persons to induct with the intention that an honour board mounted on the back wall of the umpires rooms will be used to honour these people. All inductees will be honoured with a certificate and their photo will be placed on this honour board.


The first selection committee comprises Henry McFerran, Terry O'Donnell, Wally Hopkins and Frank Lane. This committee has set the criteria and will meet in February to select inductees. It is envisaged that over the years different people will form this selection committee but all working off the criteria that has been set by the first committee. Each selector serves for two years and is then replaced by two more. In the first term, two will step down only after the first two years with the other two stepping down in third year. This does not preclude the same selectors serving another term after a break.

Criteria for selection to the hall of fame:

1. In the first year 10 people will be inducted of which one will be given Legend Status. (It should be noted that any member of the Hall of Fame can at any time in the future be elevated to "Legend Status").
2. After the first year a maximum of two can be elected but this should not be taken as mandatory.
3. Inductees will be umpires past and present (all categories), administrators (executive members past and present), advisors, coaches and observers.
4. Inductees must have a minimum of five years of service with the FDL/WRFL umpires.
5. For an umpire to be eligible to be an inductee, the following should be taken into account:

a. ability whilst with FDL/WRFL umpires
b. attitude towards umpiring
c. attitude to training
d. service to FDL/WRFL umpiring &/or association
e. they must have umpired at senior open age level but not necessarily at division one standard.

6. The purpose of establishing this award is to recognise people who may not necessarily have progressed to a higher level in umpiring but who throughout the years have contributed to umpiring in the FDL/WRFL. Whilst the intention is to award high achievers at FDL/WRFL level, it does not exclude people who through their efforts over the years, be it at a level below first division, for their tireless work in improving the Umpires Association or umpiring in the FDL/WRFL.
7. It should be noted that the hall of fame committee in any year can decide that there be no inductees for that year.
8. To induct a candidate or elevate a person to Legend Status requires a 75% vote from the selection committee ie. three of the four selectors must agree on the nomination.

It has also been decided that a board of trustees will be formed to administer the above rules and only the people elected as trustees have the power to change the conditions of induction to the Hall of Fame. These trustees will be elected for life, unless a member wishes to retire. Any replacement will be appointed by the current executive of the time. The executive of the Umpires Association will have the power to remove a trustee but this would only be used under extreme circumstances or on the advice of all of the remaining trustees. Any change to the above rules requires a 75% agreement from the trustees.

The trustees in conjunction with the Executive Committee will decide each year when and where the Hall of Fame function will be held.

There will be four trustees and they will be:

1. The current WRFLUA President
2. Henry McFerran
3. Alan Shutt
4. Terry O'Donnell


Inducted Capacities Achievements

Steve Sutton

2024 Field/Executive

President 2018-present
Vice President ?-2017
Observer ?-present


GRAND FINALS

Division 1 Reserves: 2010

Geoff Tresidder

2024 Field/Executive

Assistant Secretary ?-present

GRAND FINALS

 

Robert Aitken

2023 Field

Evan Eliopoulos

2023 Field

Peter Daglish

2022 Field/Executive

Joy Cox

2022 Goal/Executive

Brett Carter

2021 Field

Tim Moloney

2019 Goal

Greg Denison

2019 Field

Bruce Pain

2018

Richard Watt

2018

Ashley Borg

2016 Field

Leo Keating

2016 Administrator/coaching

Andrew Fregonese

2015 Field

Laurence Cooper

2015 Goal

Adrian O'Donnell

Elevated to Legend status: 2021

2014 Field

Started Umpiring in 1991 at the age of 11 when he ran the boundary.

First Div 1 Game in 1997 at the age of 17

Went to the VFL Development Squad in 2002 (“Didn't have the motivation and back then I wasn't a fan of pre-season training”)

17 years as a Div 1 Senior Umpire

Became a Life Member in 2003

314+ games in total in Div 1, with an impressive 34 finals (GF's and other finals included)

Current Executive Member

GRAND FINALS

Div 1 Seniors: 1999, 2001, 2003-04, 2006-07, 2009-10, 2012-13, 2015

Div 2 Seniors: 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014

Div 1 Res: 1998, 2000

U18A: 1997

Div 3 Seniors: 1993 (boundary)

U12A: 1992 (boundary)

Paul Battaglia

Elevated to Legend status: 2018

2014 Goal

Started Umpiring in 1995 at the age of 52

First Div 1 Game in 1996 at the age of 53

18 years as a Div 1 Senior Umpire

AWARDS:

1997 Neil Moorfoot Award for the most promising umpire

2000 Cliff Pryde Award for the most outstanding trainer

2008, 2011 Harold Mason Award

2009 Life Member

GRAND FINALS:

Div 1 Seniors: 1998-2001, 2003-04, 2008, 2011, 2013-15

Div 2 Seniors: 1996, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2009-10, 2012

Div 3 Seniors: 1995

Div 1 Res: 1997, 2006

U15A: 2013

U14D: 1996, 2007

U12A: 2010

U11A: 1995, 2005, 2008

U11B: 2009-10

Mark Mather

Elevated to Legend status: 2024

2013 Field

Kevin Lewis

2013 Field

Paul Claughton

2012 Field

Roy Hamilton

2012 Field

IAN STEWART

2011 Field

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1982, 83, 84 and 1985

DIVISION TWO SENIORS: 1988 and 1989

UNDER 17A: 1981

PHILIP SNOW

2011 Field

Life Member 1989

Social Secretary 1984- 1994

Umpired Divison one senior games over a 20 year period.

DIVISION FOUR SENIORS: 1985

DIVISION TWO RESERVES SECTION 2: 1991

UNDER 17B: 1986

UNDER 17B: 1988

UNDER 16: 1990

UNDER 11B: 1989

NOEL GRANT

Elevated to Legend status: 2022

2010 Field

Umpired 1970-74 vfl reserve grade.

1975 -76 – on selection board to advisor Jack Hayes

1977-79 –Footscray District Advisor

1980 – on selection board under advisor Kevin Mckay.

1981-82 on board under John Knott

1983-84 on board under John Hutson.

1985- after 8 games was appointed to replace Harvey Otta as Advisor.

1985    – appointed goal umpires advisor under Terry O'Donnell

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1984 (G)

DIVISION ONE RESERVES: 1987 (G)

DIVISION TWO SENIORS: 1983 (G)

DIVISION TWO SENIORS SECTION 2: 1988 (G)

DIVISION TWO RESERVES SECTION 2: 1992 (G)

UNDER 13A: 1975 (F)

UNDER 13C: 1987 (G)

UNDER 15A: 1989 (G)

UNDER 17A: 1981 (G)

TERRY MCGARITY

Elevated to Legend status: 2023

2010 Field

After a distinguished career as a footballer and coach joined Footscray umpires in 1979.

 

From 1979 to current time has served as-

 

Board man with a number of advisors, has served on umpires selection committee with number of advisors,phys-ed trainer with number of advisors , wrfl director, umpires observer with number of advisors , umpired in both juniors and seniors at all levels.

DIVISION TWO RESERVES SECTION 2: 1989

DIVISION THREE SENIORS: 1988

DIVISION TWO UNDER 18s: 2015

UNDER 15A: 1984

UNDER 17A: 1986 and 1987

UNDER 16B: 1990 and 1991

UNDER 14B: 2002

Noel Bunce

2009 Field

Footscray district 1966-69, vfl reserves 70-71, vfl senior list 72-79 fdl/wrfl 82-99

Board Member: 1984

Executive member for many years

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1969 (B)

DIVISION ONE RESERVES: 1987

DIVISION TWO RESERVES: 1986, 1989 and 1990

DIVISION TWO RESERVES Section 2: 1988

DIVISION THREE SENIORS: 1983

UNDER 17A: 1985

Graeme Hodgart

Elevated to Legend status: 2014

2009 Goal

Footscray district / wrfl 1979 – 1989 , 1990-97 AFL supplementary list , then vfl /vfa senior list, 1998 – 2009 wrfl

Goal Umpire Head Coach: 2010 to present

Sydney exchange 1999

Tasmania exchange 2003

life member 2006

editor scovell news

Umpired 43 VFL Games

Umpired 43 VFA Games

Umpired 43 AFL Reserves Games

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1989, 1999, 2002, 03, 07, 08 and 2009

DIVISION ONE RESERVES: 1988

DIVISION TWO SENIORS: 2001, 04, 05 and 2006

DIVISION THREE SENIORS: 1983 and 1987

DIVISION FOUR SENIORS: 1984

UNDER 17B: 1981

UNDER 11A: 1987

UNDER 15B: 1988

PETER CHETTLE

2008 Administrator

20 years plus with association as goal umpire

PRESIDENT: 1982

life member: 1983

tireless worker for umpires.

ERIC KNIGHT

2008 Administrator

life member: 1982

Umpired through 70' and early eighties.

Did many odd jobs when association had no home base.

Held BBQs at his home and at his work. Responsible for the lighting now at ground.

Inducted 2005 life member 1978 through 70's was the board secretary.many times when no home functions at his home.

BOB MANTON

2007

TERRY O'DONNELL

Elevated to Legend status: 2011

2007 Administrator

Advisor 1986 to 2002

Secretary 2003-2014

instrumental in setting up the umpiring academies.

KEN GREIG

2006 Administrator

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1969 (F)

DIVISION TWO SENIORS: 1970 and 1971 (F)

Life member: 1970

President 1970

Awarded for services to umpiring thru 60 and 70's.

WALLY HOPKINS

Elevated to Legend status: 2013

2006 Advisor

Umpires advisor 1967-72

Life member 1972

Hall of fame selection board 2003-2004.

Alan Clough

Elevated to Legend status: 2008

2005 Field

Awarded for services to umpires throughout 70's – acted as board secretary at that time.

ADMINISTRATOR

JOHN BOOKER

Elevated to Legend status: 2015

2005 Field

Awarded for services to umpiring thru 70,80,90's to 2010.

Category of administration and field umpiring.

Umpired well in excess of 1000 games in WRFL.

23 grand finals as a boundary umpire including 3 in a row division one GF's in early 70's..

15 years on executive including 5 as secretary and a year as vice president.

Stan Mielczarek

Elevated to Legend status: 2010

2005 Administrator

Awarded for Services to Umpiring through 80s ,90s and up to 2010.

Has contributed over $100,000 in funds to the Umpires Association.

Stan umpired at junior level as field and senior level as goal umpire.

He acted as club umpires liaison on a number of occasions.

He ran the footy trip until he passed away.

 

FRANK LANE

2004 Assistant Advisor
Field

Assistant Advisor 1986

 

FIELD

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1963 and 1967

UNDER 17: 1962 and 1968

 

ON HALL OF FAME SELECTION COMMITTEE 2003

Henry McFerran

Elevated to Legend status: 2006

2004 Field/Executive

WRFLUA PRESIDENT: 1995-2017

WRFLUA SECRETARY: 1981-94

DIVISION TWO SENIORS: 1990

DIVISION ONE RESERVES: 1991

DIVISION TWO RESERVES: 1992

DIVISION THREE SENIORS: 1984

DIVISION TWO UNDER 18s: 2015

UNDER 9: 1981

UNDER 13A: 1983

UNDER 15A: 1986

UNDER 15C: 1989

JAMIE GUPPY

2004 Boundary

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1991, 1992 and 1997

DIVISION TWO SENIORS: 1990

UNDER 16A: 1993

ROD DAVIES

2004 Goal

Graham Saville

Elevated to Legend status: 2004

2004 Goal/Executive

Peter Starford

Elevated to Legend status: 2003

2003 Field

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1975, 1978, 1981-82 1986

DIVISION TWO SENIORS: 1977, 1980

DIVISION THREE SENIORS: 1979

UNDER 17: 1973, 1976, 1985

UNDER 15: 1972

TED TOWNSEND

2003 Field

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1947, 48, 49 and 50

UNDER 18: 1949

Bob Madigan

Elevated to Legend status: 2005

2003 Field

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1973 , 77, 79 and 1980

DIVISION TWO SENIORS: 1974 , 83 and 1990

DIVISION THREE SENIORS: 1978 , 81, 82 , 87 89 91 and 1993

UNDER 17: 1972 and 1985

Under 16: 1970

DIVISION TWO RESERVES: 1992

WRFLUA President:

SHANE CARLAND

Elevated to Legend status: 2009

2003 Field

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1987, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1997-98

DIVISION TWO SENIORS: 1988, 1990-91

DIVISION THREE SENIORS: 1985

DIVISION TWO RESERVES: 1986, 1993

ROBERT JONES

2003 Field

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1935, 36 and 1937

Advisor 1946 and 1947

Alf Galea

Elevated to Legend status: 2016

2003 Field
Boundary
Goal

FIELD

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1993

DIVISION TWO SENIORS: 1992

DIVISION TWO RESERVES: 1991

 

BOUNDARY

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1989

DIVISION TWO SENIORS: 1998

DIVISION ONE RESERVES: 1986

UNDER 15: 1989

 

GOAL

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1995

 

1st person to umpire Division One Seniors Grand Final in Field, Boundary and Goals

HAROLD MASON

Elevated to Legend status: 2021

2003 Field

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1960

UNDER 14A: 1970

UNDER 14B: 1971

UNDER 15B: 1972

Under 13: 1973

 

FDL/WRFL UMPIRES TROPHY NAMED IN HIS HONOUR FOR SERVICES TO UMPIRING EACH YEAR

ALISTAIR RAYNER

2003 Boundary

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1985, 86, 87 and 1988

UNDER 17A: 1984

Alan Shutt

Elevated to Legend status: 2012

2003 Goal

DIVISION ONE SENIORS: 1996, 97, 98 and 2000

DIVISION TWO SENIORS: 1990

DIVISION ONE RESERVES: 1991 and 1992

UNDER 12B: 1992

UNDER 18B: 1993

UNDER 16A: 1993

WRFLUA Treasurer 1999-2017

JIM RAYNER

Elevated to Legend status: 2007

2003 Field/Executive

Administrator 1981

PRESIDENT 1983 -1990

 

In That Time He Was Instrumental In Establishing The Rooms And Social Facilities At Scovell Reserve.

Previously The Association Had Been At Numerous Locations Such As Yarraville

He Also Oversaw The Merger Of The Western District And The Fdl Umpires Which Almost Doubled The Size Of The Association.

About the WRFLUA

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