FOOTBALL

UMPIRES

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

THIS type of achievement is becoming standard for football umpire Don Wight.

The mark of 1400 games will be the newest number attached to the Latrobe Valley Umpires Association legend when he steps out for the game between Morwell East and Yinnar seniors in the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League this Saturday.

In an umpiring career that commenced in 1977, Wight has seen generations of footballers come through the pipeline of community clubs (including the evolution at club land itself).

When he started, Maryvale still had a club competing in Mid Gippsland, Yallourn had just merged with Yallourn North, and recently, many new clubs have jumped in and out of the MGFNL.

The respected umpire chocks up his storied journey to good health, even as a senior official, which has seen him as a consistent face in community football for decades.

Wight is a life member of the LVUA, giving decades of service to the local umpiring contingent in roles such as Junior Vice President, Member Liaison and social committee member just to name a few.

Wight honours the community sport he’s fortunate enough to be a part of as a reflection of the good that encompasses those involved with the game.

“Umpiring is about what you can give back to society which includes (the) players, officials, spectators and families,” he said.

Moving more prominently behind the goals for senior action these days, Wight can still be seen consistently taking centre field for junior matches across the weekend, and notes that the young players are friendly and respectful to him.

Wight is also a member of the LVUA Junior Panel helping to mentor the up-and-coming umpires and to retain a solid foundation of participation. After all, football doesn’t run without those in green.

“We’ve got a lot of young ones who respect me I suppose, and listen to me… the grandfathers are bringing (down) their grandsons, which is good,” he said.

When asked what makes a good umpire, he said there was a few key areas.

“Umpiring is based on knowledge of the rules, applying them based on good positioning, fitness, communication and respect,” he said.

“A good umpire is based on what you don’t see during the game.

“I can count on one hand the times I haven’t been abused but that is part of the game.

“Along the journey there are many stories good and bad that remain memories, but you heal with time and saddle up for the next game.”

Focusing on the positive, or hilarious, at each recent milestone his colleagues have introduced props during his significant walk-outs, including a wheelchair and coffin, jokingly hinting at his stretched out career and displaying the banter and tightness of the umpiring unit.

Wight has received no shortage of accolades during his tenure.

On the occasion of his 1000th match in 2012, he was presented a special frame from the MGFNL, an abundance of complementary letters, and to top it off – a signed football from his beloved Western Bulldogs.

In 2018, Wight received a Gippstar Special Achievers award from the Gippsland Sports Academy – the year of his 1200th match.

When asked about the possibility of 1500 games being pinned to him, Wight smirked and said “it doesn’t sound too bad.”

A perfectly round figure to encapsulate the well circulated official who’s seen it all.