AFL umpires Jacob Mollison and Ian Burrows are living proof the road to success is paved with perseverance.
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In Wagga yesterday as part of the AFL Umpires Roadshow, Mollison and Burrows showed the region’s high school students exactly what it takes to make it to the MCG on grand final day.
Especially so for Wodonga product Mollison, who began umpiring in the Ovens and Murray League at the age of 17 and has now officiated over 60 AFL games from the middle.
According to Southern NSW umpire development officer Luke Olsen, Mollison’s plight from the country highlights a pathway to the main stage that is accessible for junior umpires in the Riverina.
“Jacob is a Wodonga boy, so he’s from an area like ours,” Olsen said yesterday.
“He started off in the Ovens and Murray and then moved to Melbourne where he made the AFL list. It just shows these kids that no matter where they are they can get to the MCG and they can umpire finals football.
“You don’t have to be a chosen one, you just have to stick with it.
“That’s the biggest positive we get out of this visit.”
Mollison and Burrows, who has officiated two AFL grand finals from the boundary, visited The Riverina Anglican College, Kooringal High School, Billabong High School and Wagga High School as part of the initiative.
Although he insists there is no shortage in interest, Olsen said the biggest problem he faces with recruitment is keeping the young umpires on board.
Olsen said the focus of Mollison and Burrows visit is to demonstrate that persistence as an up-and-coming umpire pays off.
“There is still a bit of stigma as far as the abuse side of things goes, but I don’t think as bad as some people make it out to be,” Olsen said.
“Umpires are always going to make decisions that will be scrutinised by someone at the ground, but that’s why we’ve got our programs.
“We’re trying to turn this habit of yelling out at umpires and arguing decisions that they make and showing people that if we work together the young umpires are going to improve with experience.
“It’s easy to find them, but its a lot harder to keep them.”
A large number of teenagers are involved in umpiring programs in the Riverina, and Olsen hopes the example of Mollison and Burrows will see them through to a future with the AFL.
“The kids have been really receptive and asking a lot of questions, they’re really interested,” he said.
“They’re happy to see someone at the AFL level, it doesn’t happen often enough around here so when it does, we like to take full advantage of it.”