RESPECTED Riverina umpire Gene Hodgins hopes he still has plenty more games in him after officiating his 300th on Saturday at Crossroads Oval.
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In a show of respect, players from Collingullie-Glenfield Park and Coolamon formed a guard of honour as Hodgins was cheered off the ground for the milestone occasion.
Hodgins, 44, started as a boundary umpire back in 1991 and returned to the umpiring ranks after open-heart bypass surgery last year.
Hodgins, who umpires for the friendship and the fitness, hopes he still has a few more left in him.
“I think so, I still enjoy it and it’s still good for the fitness,” Hodgins said.
“Really what I like so much about it is the camaraderie and the friendships built. Being part of team, if you like, and being apart of the game.”
Hodgins has umpired for 26 years, including stints in Victorian amateurs in Melbourne and Bendigo Football League either side of his time with Riverina Umpires Association (RUA).
His first grand final was the 1995 Riverina League decider between Terry Daniher’s Wagga Tigers and Pat Gribble’s Turvey Park team at Narrandera Sportsground.
“It’s been really good seeing all the changes over the years,” he said.
Hodgins was also honoured by the guard of honour from players last Saturday.
“I was really surprised by that,” he said.
“To get that from the clubs and players was very nice, to see that respect, or acknowledgement, of umpires by the players.”