AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL
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EXPERIENCED whistle blower Tim Beard has been named Riverina Umpire Association's (RUA) Umpire of the Year for a fifth occasion.
RUA held its presentation night last Friday at which AFL player-turned-umpire Jordan Bannister was the special guest.
Beard - RUA's umpire coach manager - and RFL grand final umpire, received the top gong.
"It's an award that has been with the association for about 45 years so it's great to receive it, it's a huge honour," Beard said.
"I always find it a humbling experience to be recognised like that."
Youngster Josh O'Donohue was awarded the RUA Golden Whistle.
Sponsored by AFL Riverina, the Golden Whistle is not presented every year and only to those umpires considered rising stars.
Adrian Weir was named RUA's boundary umpire of the year and Lee Barclay was awarded goal umpire of the year.
Andrew Touvi picked up the coach's award and Adam Wallace was named the most improved junior umpire.
Luke Olsen was given the Farrer League Perpetual Trophy for the most improved umpire, while Samantha Creasy was given a junior umpire encouragement award.
RUA life membership was awarded to Dave Waterman and Russell Walker.
Beard praised Bannister as the night's special guest. "Jordan was fantastic, it was really good to have him come along," Beard said.
"He had a good message to give and had plenty of time for everybody.
"He was good value."
RUA hopes to see more ex-players take on board Bannister's message of crossing to the umpiring ranks.
Bannister's message to retired footballers was to give it a try, umpire one game for themselves and make up their mind from there.