By Tara Murray
Marquee players aren’t unusual in local football, but a marquee umpire is something a bit different.
Spotswood has organised for three-time AFL grand final umpire Ray Chamberlain to umpire its round two match against Point Cook Centrals this Saturday.
It was his first game since he retired from the AFL last year.
The man known as ‘Razor’ is making his comeback to coincide with his support of The Male Hug’s Kick a Goal for Mental Health event to be held in the MCG on June 20.
Chamberlain said that men’s mental health is really important to him and through the Chamberlain Foundation have supported many organisations the past 20 years.
“Getting back out into the community and umpiring in the Western Football Netball League helps us get the message out there that men really need to talk and share their emotions with a mate or call the 1800 My Buddy Line and speak to someone who is happy to listen,” he said.
Chamberlain said his return to officiating the game has come as a surprise. He said he was a little apprehensive about doing it.
“But with the importance of men’s mental health surrounding the game, and the little bit of a flame that’s still a light to perform the role, I thought to myself you are too long retired, and it will be fun to get out there and see how we go.
“And no, I won’t be bouncing the ball, I’ll leave that to the experts.”
Male Hug’s chief executive and founder Tony Rabah is thankful for Chamberlain’s involvement with his organisation, which was formed in 2019 as it seeks to raise the awareness of men’s mental health and promote the open dialogue of this often sensitive issue
“As we do, Ray is encouraging men to talk, whether that be chatting over the fence to him after a decision, or just being there with some mates and chatting about the game,” Rabah said. “Talking is important.”
Spotswood president Alan Given is happy Ray accepted the offer to blow his whistle again.
He they were hoping to have a big crowd in attendance.
“Ray Chamberlain is a legend of the game, there wouldn’t be too many AFL Fans who don’t know him.”
Western Football Netball League umpiring director Lachlan Harty said he did a double take when he heard that Chamberlain was stepping out on the field.
“It’s a great opportunity to give a couple of up and comers the opportunity to run with him,” he said before the match.
“It’s exciting for the league. We were shocked and had to double check to make sure it was happening.
“Once the shock wore off we were able to appreciate it. It’s good for the club. You get marquee players, not often do you get marquee umpires.”
The league did try to get Chamberlain down to training in the lead up to the game, but it didn’t come to fruition.
Harty said they were hoping to get him down later in the season.
“Hopefully he enjoys doing it so that he will do a couple of games for us,” he said.
Chamberlain was one of two former AFL umpires running around on the weekend, along with Troy Pennell.
Pennell is the league’s umpiring coach.
He umpired in round one and was set to double up on Saturday and umpire a women’s match and then men’s match.
Harty said overall they had been down with numbers slightly with umpires in the early rounds due to school holidays but had been tracking well.
He said they were still looking for more umpires, especially field umpires. The league is also focused on getting more females involved.
The league’s umpires train on Tuesday and Thursday night at Hanmer Reserve from 5.30pm.
