Umpires Corner for PUMA Umpires Round

It’s hard to believe that by the end of today, we will have completed a third of the home and away season, time sure flies when you’re having fun.

Today is Puma VAFA Umpires round and we welcome Puma as our new footwear partner. We look forward to seeing our guys and girls running around in their new boots shortly. We would also like to thank our other major partners, LEDified and Personal Mortgage Managers for your ongoing support.

As part of Umpires round, we were honoured to have Ben Ryan, Shane McInerney, Rob Haala, Jason Moore and Jason Venkataya from the AFL at training giving valuable insight to the group.

As today is Umpires Round the spotlight is on us, which is against everything we set out to do. So let’s enjoy the moment, but when it comes time to get down to business, just blend into the game.

Steve Piperno (From the VAFA to the AFL)

In round one, we highlighted the achievements of our members who have gone onto higher competitions this year. One of these was Steve Piperno, who this year has been elevated to the AFL Goal Umpires Panel. Steve still has lots of mates down at the VAFAUA and has kindly shared his story with Umpires Corner.

Back in June 2003, after having a chance conversation with a couple of mates in high school, I decided to give umpiring a go and join them for a training session at Elsternwick Park. As a very shy 15 year old, I was taken under the wing by Shane Herbert, Andrew Barnes, Bernie Jephson and Kev ‘Chillie’ Segota, most of whom are still involved in shaping the future of young umpires coming through the ranks today. I have fond memories of my time in the VAFA, where I learned and developed as an umpire from those around me, whilst enjoying the social aspect of the group. In 2005, I was extremely privileged to be appointed to the A Section Grand Final, which to this day is still one of my most cherished memories in umpiring due to the buzz and atmosphere surrounding the match.

In 2006, I joined the VFL where there are greater expectations on fitness, performance and professionalism and where you quickly realise that umpiring has the potential to become a career, as well as a hobby. Over the 9 years I spent in the VFL, I continued to learn from my experienced coaches and peers, developed a strong work ethic, and as I progressed, my passion for umpiring grew along with my desire to make the AFL. Over this journey, I was fortunate enough to be selected for numerous grand finals, and in December 2014, I received the phone call from the AFL offering me a contract, fulfilling a dream I worked so hard to achieve.

My AFL experience to date has been incredible. The expectations have intensified even further and there is a real buzz about being part of an elite group of umpires. My first match was an absolute thrill, and while it is still just a game of footy, it is on a much bigger and louder stage, a novelty that will never wear off.

I still try to visit the VAFA from time to time to catch up with my old friends. Despite not having umpired there for 10 years, I still regularly keep in touch with many of the group, which proves how great of an umpiring group it is and how profound an impact the VAFA had on my umpiring career.

-Steve Piperno