The 2007 SANFL Secondary School Girls Twilight Cup kicked off last Tuesday evening in the Adelaide parklands. 

Whilst the competition may have commenced against the city’s fading light, it also proved to be the dawning of a fledgling umpiring career for several young men and women.

Instigated by the SANFL’s Girls Football Development Officer, Bridget Grant, a number of University students and current players made their whistle blowing debut under the guidance of the League’s umpiring development team.

Having been put through their preliminary paces via the SANFL’s revamped Basic Umpires Course, the students took to the playing fields for their first real taste of action in the middle – and to their credit, applied their new craft with aplomb.

 With varied football backgrounds and from all parts of the globe, the students made use of the opening round action to hone their skills as both field and goal umpires – and judging by their enthusiasm on the field, loved every minute of it!

One notable member of the state’s newest umpiring group is Jess Openshaw, who was selected in the All-Australian Womens Football team earlier this year after performing with distinction at the National Championships in Canberra – and is now getting a whole new perspective on the game through her new role. 

The competition continues over the coming weeks and further details in regards to this event can be obtained by contacting Bridget Grant, SANFL Girls Football Development Officer on 8424 2209 or 0411 846 422.

Dates for the 2008 Community based Basic Umpires Courses will be finalised in the next few weeks and details for these will be posted on the site in the near future.

In the interim, any umpiring enquiries can be directed to either, Don Cooper, SANFL Umpiring Development Manager on 8424 2268, or Mark Hardham, SANFL Umpiring Development Officer on 8424 2293.