WATCHING her brother play AFL football, along with a love of sport generally, led Shannon Colgan, 18, to become a field umpire.
“A teacher from school — who was part of the Western Region Football League — started an academy and because I loved footy I decided to join and give umpiring a go,” Shannon says.
“I started helping at my brother’s footy games when they were short on umpires. It gave me a sniff of what it was like.”
After a couple of weeks training on basic umpiring skills, Shannon umpired her first game with a mentor to show her the ropes.
The teenager has now been umpiring in the WRFL since 2009, training on Monday and Wednesday nights, and is one of only two field umpires in the league.
“There are more women working as goal or boundary umpires, but it’s mostly guys in the league. I love being involved in the game. It’s given me skills, confidence and social opportunities.”
The young sportswoman got to run onto the ground at Etihad Stadium during this year’s NAB Cup competition and went into the rooms to see how the umpires prepare for their games.
“I umpired at five Auskick games at the MCG and Etihad last year.”
This year, Shannon had the pleasure of meeting Chelsea Roffey, a goal umpire in the AFL grand final in September. “It was great to meet Chelsea and to see how much you can achieve if you set your mind to it.” Shannon umpires division one, seniors’ football games on Saturdays, and juniors on Sundays from April to September. “I’m pretty sporty. I used to play basketball and netball and do athletics.” She’s also a member of the Youth Girls Academy, one of 13 field umpires from the Melbourne metro area, and says the academy gives her the chance to hone her skills.
Shannon says she’ll always make time for umpiring. “Next year I’m going to travel overseas, but I also plan on umpiring and I’m hoping to study business and sports management.”
For other young women interested in umpiring, she has this advice: “Take the risk and get your foot in the door. It’s a great opportunity to get involved with footy.”
