Historic Moment for Community Umpire

THE West Australian umpiring community will celebrate a rare milestone this weekend when goal umpire Des Morgan (Pictured far right) takes to the field for the 1000^th time to umpire the A Grade clash between Mount Lawley and Maddington.

Morgan, who began his career in 1978 for the South Suburban Murray National Football League, handpicked the game he will officiate this weekend for sentimental reasons.

“My first game was Kalamunda vs Maddington in 1978” said Morgan

“I wanted a Maddington home game originally but it didn’t work out … since the umpires train at Mount Lawley, I thought that (match) would be a good choice”

Morgan began his umpiring career in the South Suburban Murray National Football League, officiating there until 1985 when it was renamed the Sunday Football League. He umpired for the entire existence of the SFL before joining the WA Amateur Football League in 2009 when the two leagues were amalgamated.

In total, Morgan has umpired in excess of 20 Grand Finals for the South Suburban Murray National Football League, Sunday Football League and WA Amateur Football League.

While it’s an umpires’ job to enforce the rules, Morgan recalls the line was sometimes a little blurred during his playing career.

“I used to be a tough player… I played for three years but I started to get too rough. I think the Sunday Football League Gazette headline was ‘Dirty Player Turns to Umpiring'” He said

Though Morgan insists the headline was more a result of poetic license than his playing style.

“I wasn’t dirty. I was tough, but always fair”

Having now umpired for over thirty years Morgan could be excused from regular training, but still attends every Monday night to assist younger umpires coming through the ranks as Senior Community Umpiring Coordinator.

On top of his role as Umpire Coordinator Morgan continues to umpire multiple matches each weekend, taking on duties in not only the WA Amateur Football League but the WA Women’s Football League.

“I do two women’s matches a weekend as well as amateur games” He said

“The other week I did five games… one Friday night, two Saturday and two on Sunday”

Umpire of the year three times, Umpires Association Life Member 1992, Umpires Association Hall of Fame Inductee 1996 and two-time Department of Sport and Recreation Certificate of Commendation award winner – Des Morgan is one of the most decorated in a profession which often goes without recognition.

Bounce down for the 1000^th game is at 2:30pm, June 4^th at Hamer Park, Mount Lawley.