A team of umpires with disabilities will officiate at the eighth annual Encompass Cup clash between Belmont Lions and Werribee Centrals tomorrow.
The team includes Dave Frazer, Jess Crucitti and Daniel Dorling, boundary umpires Oscar Young, Darryl Dean and Ashliegh Lynch and goal umpies Terry Maloney and Jake Baker-Brooks.
The group of umpires will be involved in the reserve and senior matches between the Lions and the Centurions but officiate the seniors exclusively.
A joint initiative between local football and umpires leagues with community services agency Encompass, the cup has earned national exposure over the years for its effort to highlight the contributions of officials with disabilities to local footy.
“This is a wonderful achievement,” said Geelong Football Umpires League boss Howard Phillpot on the eve of the eighth cup.
“When we started the Encompass Cup eight years ago there were only two umpires with disabilities officiating on the day.”
“Umpiring is something that everyone can be involved with. It helps people build people’s confidence, management skills and resilience. We invite anyone who wishes to be involved to contact us.”
The umpires league was “proud to be involved” in the annual Encompass Cup, chairman Mark Davidson said.
“People with a disability should have the same opportunities as anybody else. Umpires like Daniel and Jake are great role models for their peers in sharing their skills with the junior members. We are committed to ensuring that opportunities to play the game are accessible to all.”
Tomorrow’s cup matches will be a Winter Reserve, Glyn Street, Belmont.
