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In what is believed to be a first in high level footy in Australia, we had a female umpire in the SANFL last weekend. Jeff Gieschen was on hand as well.
She did a terrific job (has done all year in the reserves) and her "voice" was louder by far then her two male colleagues
I wouldnt be surprised if the AFL takes her under their wing in a few seasons.
Glenelg vs North Adelaide SANFL August 2013 502 Eleni Glouftsis by @glenelgfc (SANFL), on Flickr
Glenelg vs North Adelaide SANFL August 2013 750 Eleni Glouftsis by @glenelgfc (SANFL), on Flickr
She did a terrific job (has done all year in the reserves) and her "voice" was louder by far then her two male colleagues
I wouldnt be surprised if the AFL takes her under their wing in a few seasons.
An SANFL field umpire, Eleni Glouftsis, is poised to make history on Sunday when she becomes the first female in Australia to officiate a league match.
The 21-year-old will join the league field umpiring panel for the clash between North Adelaide and Glenelg at Prospect Oval.
Glouftsis has worked her way through the ranks of umpiring, beginning in 2006 in the North Eastern Metro Football Association. In 2008, Glouftsis began training at the SANFL as a boundary umpire, changing to field umpiring the following year.
“My parents used to umpire, dad umpired football and mum umpired netball,’’ Glouftsis explained when asked why she took up umpiring.
‘’Umpiring is in my blood, it is extra pocket money, a great way to keep fit and a way to be a part of the game that I love.”
Football is a predominately male-orientated sport but nothing has stopped Glouftsis, it’s the small pieces of advice she has kept with her that have helped along the way.
The fact her partner Dillon Tee is also an umpire has helped with the understanding and commitment which is needed in reaching league level.
“Dad used to always say ‘if it is to be, it’s up to me’, which will always stick with me,’’ Glouftsis said.
“Shane Harris (SANFL State Umpiring Manager) always sends the appointments with the email attachted full of ‘one liners’ and advice but then at the end, he always writes: ‘Enjoy’. This is to make sure that we are umpiring because we enjoy it not because it is our job.”
Harris is particularly pleased with Glouftsis’ rise to league ranks, the experienced umpiring mentor playing a major role in her development.
“What a fantastic achievement it will be for Eleni, she is a real trail-blazer in becoming the first female to officiate as a field umpire in an SANFL league match,’’ SANFL State Umpiring Manager Shane Harris said.
‘’In the toughest discipline of umpiring, Eleni has steadily progressed from junior level to the highest level within South Australia. This is a real credit to Eleni’s commitment and dedication while striving to reach SANFL league level.
‘’The SANFL’s Umpiring Department has marvelled at the manner in which Eleni has developed her knowledge and skills to be elevated to league level. Everyone in the SANFL, including the SANFL’s Umpiring Department, sincerely congratulates her on her achievement.
‘’Hopefully it is the first step toward Eleni being the first female field umpire to officiate in an AFL match.”
Nationally, the appointment of a female field umpire is a milestone in history.
“From a national umpiring perspective, the appointment of Eleni to a SANFL senior match is an amazing achievement,” AFL National Umpiring Manager Jeff Gieschen said.
“We have a strong and clear vision to try and recruit as many females to umpiring as possible. Eleni’s appointment demonstrates that females can make it to the top level in field umpiring. Field umpiring is obviously the most complex discipline of umpiring, therefore for Eleni to reach SANFL senior level this is a testament to her commitment, skill, knowledge, fitness and courage to persevere and have a go.
“I would like to acknowledge the great work done by Shane Harris and his umpire coaches in the SANFL who have guided Eleni to this historic appointment. I wish Eleni all the very best of luck in her career and congratulate her sincerely on this wonderful achievement. Hopefully one day we may see Eleni and Chelsea Roffey (female goal umpire) umpiring in an AFL game together.”
Glouftsis is proud and excited about her achievement of finally living her dream of making it to league level but if you ask her, this is only the first step.
“I am excited and proud about the achievement of league level, I just have to remember that it is just like any other game,” Glouftsis said.
The 21-year-old will join the league field umpiring panel for the clash between North Adelaide and Glenelg at Prospect Oval.
Glouftsis has worked her way through the ranks of umpiring, beginning in 2006 in the North Eastern Metro Football Association. In 2008, Glouftsis began training at the SANFL as a boundary umpire, changing to field umpiring the following year.
“My parents used to umpire, dad umpired football and mum umpired netball,’’ Glouftsis explained when asked why she took up umpiring.
‘’Umpiring is in my blood, it is extra pocket money, a great way to keep fit and a way to be a part of the game that I love.”
Football is a predominately male-orientated sport but nothing has stopped Glouftsis, it’s the small pieces of advice she has kept with her that have helped along the way.
The fact her partner Dillon Tee is also an umpire has helped with the understanding and commitment which is needed in reaching league level.
“Dad used to always say ‘if it is to be, it’s up to me’, which will always stick with me,’’ Glouftsis said.
“Shane Harris (SANFL State Umpiring Manager) always sends the appointments with the email attachted full of ‘one liners’ and advice but then at the end, he always writes: ‘Enjoy’. This is to make sure that we are umpiring because we enjoy it not because it is our job.”
Harris is particularly pleased with Glouftsis’ rise to league ranks, the experienced umpiring mentor playing a major role in her development.
“What a fantastic achievement it will be for Eleni, she is a real trail-blazer in becoming the first female to officiate as a field umpire in an SANFL league match,’’ SANFL State Umpiring Manager Shane Harris said.
‘’In the toughest discipline of umpiring, Eleni has steadily progressed from junior level to the highest level within South Australia. This is a real credit to Eleni’s commitment and dedication while striving to reach SANFL league level.
‘’The SANFL’s Umpiring Department has marvelled at the manner in which Eleni has developed her knowledge and skills to be elevated to league level. Everyone in the SANFL, including the SANFL’s Umpiring Department, sincerely congratulates her on her achievement.
‘’Hopefully it is the first step toward Eleni being the first female field umpire to officiate in an AFL match.”
Nationally, the appointment of a female field umpire is a milestone in history.
“From a national umpiring perspective, the appointment of Eleni to a SANFL senior match is an amazing achievement,” AFL National Umpiring Manager Jeff Gieschen said.
“We have a strong and clear vision to try and recruit as many females to umpiring as possible. Eleni’s appointment demonstrates that females can make it to the top level in field umpiring. Field umpiring is obviously the most complex discipline of umpiring, therefore for Eleni to reach SANFL senior level this is a testament to her commitment, skill, knowledge, fitness and courage to persevere and have a go.
“I would like to acknowledge the great work done by Shane Harris and his umpire coaches in the SANFL who have guided Eleni to this historic appointment. I wish Eleni all the very best of luck in her career and congratulate her sincerely on this wonderful achievement. Hopefully one day we may see Eleni and Chelsea Roffey (female goal umpire) umpiring in an AFL game together.”
Glouftsis is proud and excited about her achievement of finally living her dream of making it to league level but if you ask her, this is only the first step.
“I am excited and proud about the achievement of league level, I just have to remember that it is just like any other game,” Glouftsis said.
Glenelg vs North Adelaide SANFL August 2013 502 Eleni Glouftsis by @glenelgfc (SANFL), on Flickr
Glenelg vs North Adelaide SANFL August 2013 750 Eleni Glouftsis by @glenelgfc (SANFL), on Flickr
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