V/Line Cup umpires announced with refreshed look
The 2024 V/Line Cup umpiring panels have been announced alongside a refreshed umpiring uniform for next weeks three-day footy tournament in Ballarat.
The V/Line Cup will take place next week in Ballarat, from Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 September, with 600 of the best under 15 footballers from country Victoria to participate in the annual carnival in its 75th year.
V/Line Cup umpires are selected from AFL Victoria's Community Umpire Accelerator Program, a year long development pathway program aligned with the State League and Talent Pathways (Umpiring) program that was launched earlier this year.
Umpires are nominated for the program by their community umpiring group, and then invited to monthly State League training sessions and provided with the opportunity to officiate and be observed in matches across the V/Line Cup, Herald Sun Shield, Coates Talent League and VFLW competitions.
The V/Line Cup is the centrepiece of the program, providing an intensive developnt program including match day coaching from state league coaches, allowing for umpires to be observed throughout the tournament and receive feedback on their performance.
AFL Victoria's Umpire Recruitment and Retention Lead, Leigh Buwalda, is looking forward to seeing the below umpires showcase their skills and development in next week's V/Line Cup tournament.
"The V/Line cup presents a fantastic development opportunity for community umpires who are looking to progress their career through the umpiring Talent Pathways," Leigh said.
"The V/Line Cup is our showcase piece of the year long Community Umpire Accelerator Program, with the opportunity for standout umpires to be selected into the State League umpiring program, based on their performances throughout the year including next week's V/Line Cup."
The 2024 V/Line Cup will also see umpires wear a refreshed uniform that has been modernised for improved comfort, fit and apperance.
The alterations made to umpire uniforms include quarter length green/grey socks – similar to those that AFL players now use in preference to full knee length socks, along with untucked shirts, improved fabric and cuts for field/boundary umpire shorts and goal umpire pants (to better fit women and girls).
2024 Vline Cup Umpiring Panels
Field Umpires
Jack Anderson - AFL Central Victoria/BUA
Angus Bunker-Smith - VAFA
Elizabeth Curtolo - EDFL
Harry Davis - Sale UA
Ethan De Vries - AFL South East/SUA
Jake Dennerley - SGUA
Sarah Donlon - SFNL
Nick Dore - EFNL
Sam Duewel - AFL South East/SUA
Sam Dunne - WFNL
Declan Gale - VAFA
Ashlon Gardner - WFNL
Jordan Gibson - VAFA
Damian Irvin - AFL Goldfields/BFUA
Hamish Irvin - AFL Barwon/GFUL
Tom Janke - AFL Barwon/GFUL
Adam Marrow - SFNL
Sophie Mastaing - AFL South East/SUA
Ryan McLeod - LVUA
Francis Nickell - Outer East/YRUA
Sam Norton - NFNL
Daniel Phillips - EFNL
Harrison Pinney - AFL South East/SUA
Sam Price - Outer East/YRUA
Maison Ring - AFL North East Border
Portia Ronsberg - SFNL
Zack Scholz - SGUA
Ky Shennan - EDFL
Boundary Umpire
Matt Bamfield- SFNL
Marc Botoulas - NFNL
Lachlan Cullen - EDFL
Joshua Cunningham - EDFL
Nathaniel De Lorenzo - Outer East/YRUA
Josh Doherty - VAFA
Andre Elliott - GUA
Sabrina Goodie - AFL Goldfields/BFUA
Mitch Hansen - AFL South East/SUA
Xavier Hendy - VAFA
Claire Irving - AFL Gippsland / LVUA
Lucas McIntosh - Outer East / YRUA
Cody McLaughan - Riddell UA
Zhi-Xia McNeil - SGUA
Flynn Pallot - GUA
Tahlia Merrett - EDFL
Campbell Pedler - AFL Western District / WDFUA
Sam Rattray - EFNL
Josh Rofe - AFL Goldfields / BFUA
Hayden Shillito - AFL South East / SUA
Kynan Stasinowsky - AFL Wimmera Mallee / WMUA
Jack Stelfox - EFNL
Jesseca Styan - VAFA
Brendon Swarbrick - AFL Goldfields / BFUA
Jack Tingiri - AFL Barwon / GFUL
Saxon Van Heumen - AFL Central Victoria / CRUA
Terry West - WFNL
Bailey Wilson - AFL Barwon / GFUL
Will Merrick - AFL South East / SUA
Goal Umpire
Lochie Carter - AFL Western District / WDFUA
Cameron Clune - EFNL
Aidan Dudding - AFL Barwon / GFUL
Hayley Hunt - AFL Barwon / GFUL
Bridie Mackay - AFL Goulburn Murray / GVFUA
Kaitlyn Malcolm-May - Outer East / YRUA
Sarah Maxwell - EDFL
Christian McMahon - SFNL
Christopher Mikhael - EDFL
Felix Scarlett - WFNL
Christian Steward- NFNL
Nicholas Toohey - VAFA
Cameron Valles - WFNL
Amar Yassine - EDFL
