The minute Grace Young picked up a whistle, she knew umpiring football was for her.
For Hannah Wolf, umpiring is another way of being involved with football and being paid at the same time.
The two up-and-coming umpires are among the growing number of women who are part of the umpiring ranks in the Essendon District Football League.
EDFL umpiring and development manager Rowan Sawers said they had seen an increase of 20 female umpires this year alone, with females now making up nearly 12 per cent of the league’s umpires.
Sawers said the AFLW competition and growth of girl’s and women’s football at a local level had seen interest increase.
“With the whole women’s competition, girls have taken up playing or wanting to umpire,” he said.
“The impact of the women’s competition has been massive. Of the 20 umpires, four or five of them are playing as well, they are able to look at both sides.
“As we get more teams, including the growth of girl’s teams, it’s good to see the growth in female umpires too.”
Young has combined playing and umpiring the past three years.
The 18-year-old said she fell in love with umpiring the minute she picked up the whistle.
“I’ve played footy since I was 13 or 14,” she said.
“I’ve always been around the footy scene and I knew a few friends who umpired.
“I went to training with one of my friends from school, and thought wow, this is made for me.”
Young umpires on Saturday and Sundays, one day doing boundary umpiring and the other she’s a field umpire.
And she also fits in playing with Melbourne University’s youth girl’s side.
Young said umpiring was her preference out of the two.
“It’s really good for the fitness and some good money as well,” she said. “With playing footy, it’s more a thing that I do with my friends.
“It’s [umpiring] a better perspective of the game and it helps when I play.
“My number one dream is to umpire in AFLW, I would have to work really hard.”
Wolf took up umpiring at the start of this year. She’s a field umpire at junior level as she learns the game.
“I’ve been around football my whole life,” she said.
“I thought umpiring would be cool and I know the game. It’s a good way to earn some money, it’s like a hobby not a job.”
Like Young, Wolf is combining playing and umpiring. She’s currently playing for Flemington Junior’s under-15 girl’s side.
At this stage she says playing is still her favourite, but thinks if she continues with her umpiring she could go to a higher level.
“Umpiring has helped improve my football.”
Sawers, who umpired 410 AFL/VFL games, said the league was always looking for new umpires and anyone interested could get in touch with him.
“It’s great for fitness and fun and you get paid at the same time,” he said.
To get involved with the EDFL umpires, contact Rowan on rowan.sawers@essendondfl.com.au
