For someone so highly regarded in the Greater Geelong Australian Rules football umpiring community, Chris Jones is remarkably humble despite winning numerous prestigious awards.
The 46-year-old, who has umpired more than 600 local footy games, recently received AFL Victoria’s Male Development Umpire Coach of the Year award and was also named AFL Barwon’s umpire of the year.
Rather than focusing too much on himself, Jones credited AFL Barwon director of football umpiring Jock Hillgrove, Joshua James, Davin Reed, Steve Keating and his family for “helping me along the way, which has been really appreciative”.
Jones’ extensive umpiring experience means he enjoys mentoring young umpires.
“I think it’s incredibly important, especially with that sort of experience,” he said.
“Just to be there for the younger umpires and see them progress hopefully to as much potential as I can. That’s something I really enjoy doing as well.”
With footy all over the country experiencing a shortage of umpires, Jones said it was a great way to stay fit, form friendships and get paid.
“If any of the ex-players are thinking about it, definitely give it a go,” he said.
“It was probably one of the best things that I’ve done for sure. It’s a great way to stay involved within the game and the umpiring fraternity is a pretty close group as well. We’re pretty much like a footy club, a very close-knit group.”
Jones umpires, on average, three games a weekend in footy season, takes fitness seriously and said it was important to be a good communicator.
“I’m really big on my fitness and I really enjoy running, which is a bit weird,” he said.
“(My strength is) probably communication and just having a good relationship with the players.”
Jones is still passionate about the game and will keep doing it for as long as he can.
“I still love it, especially coaching the development umpires,” he said.
“I really enjoy that side of it and seeing them progress. We had good junior female umpires numbers wise this year, which is encouraging.”
