For Mark, Matthew and Michael Westgarth, umpiring is a family affair. 84953_01 Picture: MATHEW LYNN
By LIAM TWOMEY
MARK Westgarth knows a thing or two when it comes to making the tough calls.
The Aussie Rules expert has umpired on some of the biggest stages in Australian sport at AFL, VFL and SANFL level.
But last weekend in the Western Region Football League clash between Hoppers Crossing and St Albans, Westgarth created his own slice of history when he shared the whistle with his two sons Michael and Matthew.
The occasion marked the first time in a WRFL football match that a father had umpired with his two sons and Mark said it was a big thrill to be given the opportunity.
Matthew Westgarth, 27 has previously umpired at VFL level while 18-year-old Michael is in the early stages of his umpiring career.
“I don’t think two sons have run in a game with their father before, which I think was great for western region football,” Mark said.
“It was a great game. I’ve run with Michael a couple of times because I coached him up but I haven’t run with Matthew for six or seven years. He is the oldest of the boys and had a go at the VFL as well.”
The two boys have the ideal mentor in Mark who has been a driving force behind the high standard of umpiring in the WRFL through the umpiring academy run out of MacKillop College.
Over the last four years the academy has helped to educate up to 150 new umpires across the boundary, field and goal disciplines with trainees taking part in one session a week at the school as well as being able to attend a night with senior WRFL umpires.
They are then given the chance to umpire matches, starting in the lower grades of the juniors and working up as their skills, confidence and decision making improve.
Mark said it was important for the standard of local umpires to continue to improve as the WRFL grows as a competition.
“The future is bright for the Western Region Football League in terms of umpiring,” he said.
“About three years ago we probably had about 150 or 200 people on the books in total and now we have over 300 umpires. We are maintaining our group which is great.
“The standard of football in the western region has improved dramatically. You’ve got (Jason) Cloke, (Kade) Carey and co these days and because of them playing … we need to make sure we are improving our umpiring as well.”
For someone who has seen it all, Mark lists being in the right position and knowing how to talk to players as keys to building good relationships on the field.
He also said knowing how to take a bit of stick from over the fence was all part of the job.
“On the ground, they (Matthew and Michael) cop a bit of abuse like everyone else does and I watch from the sidelines. It’s character building for them. They just need to concentrate on what they are doing. They are going to make mistakes but you don’t make two.
“If you make a blue you say I made a blue. You got it right I was wrong but I can’t change that and blokes tend to respect that. Hopefully the boys take that sort of advice.”
While WRFL matches may continue to double as Westgarth family outings for the time being, Matthew is already on the radar of higher grades and has been selected in the Mates Development
Program which could see him follow in the footsteps of his dad in the AFL or his brother in the VFL.
For Mark, the goal is to continue to develop football umpires in the western suburbs.
“Hopefully it (MacKillop Umpiring Academy) will keep on growing. It is all good for western region football which is the main thing,” he said.
“That’s the best part about WRFL is that parents can go and watch their kids play and not have to worry about umpiring. We’ve got other people who can do that so everyone is a winner.”
