by Leah Gallagher ~ Steve McCarthy Milestone to Big Kenny A long-awaited milestone to one of our more popular umpires this weekend as Ken McNiece clocks up game number 150 . We asked Kenny to give us a quick run-down on his career so far. "After umpiring junior footy at the Hawthorn JFL in 1988-94, as well as umpiring in the Southern Football League in 1992-95 and last of all a stint at Yarra Valley & Mountain District in 1996-9 7 , I finally joined the VAFA in 1998. Between 1998 and 2000 I umpired senior football in D2 to D4 . In 2001 I got my chance to do a higher level when I was promoted to Dl . In 2003 I made it to C section, and have been there since . I have umpired in three under 19 grand finals in the VAFA as well as four junior grand finals in those other competitions . I would consider my highlights to date are umpiring with Steve McCarthy (thanks, Kenny - Macca) and my grand finals . It was also great to be part of the Bill Deller recruitment of umpires program as well . " Leah & Macca - Well done Kenny, a great effort in reaching this milestone . Not so surprising for it to be achieved so quickly, Kenny is always willing to put up his hand to "double-up" by officiating in a Friday night or Sunday game to assist us with our lack of numbers . See Kenny, we were able to get through this whole story without mentioning your misfortune on last year's end-of-season i rip! What happens on the trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Don't celebrate too hard Kenny if you've got a Sunday game as well . Promotion Congratulations to another one of Shane Herbert's (goal umpires adviser) young guns, Steve Piperno was last week umpiring his first A grade game in the goals . Which makes for about half a dozen promotions in the goals for the youth policy . Also a belated congratulations to young goalie Daniel Kofoed who debuted in A section a few weeks ago . Experience count s The tool of the umpire "the whistle" is a
valuable piece of h equipment that we are taught how to blow, wash an d clean it over its life . However does anyone tell us how to wear it? Bobby Mutton found out the hard way when umpiring at Elsternwick. He went to blow his whistle and realised that he had it on backwards . No sound but a mouth full of whistle, how many years you have been doing this job ? Welcome back To Rick Love after a recent trip overseas . Rick was greeted with open arms on the training track after a long warm-up ride on his bike . Must have left something at home as he did a fairly quick U-turn . Paperwork Good to know that Santo Caruso can rely on our postal system to get the job done for him . Unfortunately his paperwork turned up to Elsternwick ten days after his game . Santo, it would help if a stamp was put on the envelope or better yet do what most of us do, and drop it at one of the drop-off points . Social News Footy tipping is drawing to a close, those that have not paid please do so. This will enable the pool of money to be divided accordingly . August 23rd for the Pre-finals dinner at The Victoria Club . (You won't believe who the Prez has secured as guest speaker this year . Details next week) . Then remember to have some room left (or make some room) as we head off to the all night bar at a venue name we cannot recall but it has something to do with royalty . Sponsors Just to thank some of our sponsors, Anthony Damen of Personal Mortgage Managers . Need assistance with a mortgage? A .D . (the Prez) is the man to see . New sponsor to the umpires is the Lobster Cave Restaurant at 18 North Concourse in Beaumaris who have kindly donated gift vouchers to the social committee to use as prizes . For bookings, call 9589 6329 . Thanks to Norrie Carlyle of the Lobster Cave .
TT . I! AON-CONTACT 0 THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER
I:;.' r - 2004
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