EDFL junior umpires Leon Di Natale, Harrison Gibbs and David Mann will represent the league at the 2018 Metro Junior Championships Under 14 Division 1 Grand Final.
The trio have been training diligently and performing well throughout the carnival, giving them the opportunity to umpire some of the best young footballers in the state.
EDFL Junior Umpiring Head Coach, Brett Pallini says although it was a difficult decision to make, he is happy to reward these three umpires for their efforts throughout the season.
“All those three umpires are always asking for more information about what they can do better to improve their game,” Pallini told essendondfl.com.au.
“We feel that they’re going to be good representatives of the league as well.
“Across the board, they’re competent. They’re at the level now where they’re really showing their skills, developing well and listening well.
“But it’s a hard choice, there’s plenty to pick from.”
Pallini says that Di Natale, Gibbs and Mann each have unique strengths in their umpiring, which has led them to receiving this prestigious opportunity.
“Leon’s (Di Natale) in his fourth year now, he’s a developing young umpire and progressed this season.
“He’s doing really well with his umpiring, really listens and learns, all three do.
“Harrison Gibbs started out of our St Bernard’s academy a few years back and now trains with us.
“He’s starting to do some Saturday football as well and he’s really developing well.
“He started off slow but he’s now come really good.
“David’s (Mann) been in the system for a while, he’s a boundary umpire and in the last few years he’s gone over to field.
“Technically, he’s really good and really fit.
“We thought let’s pick those three, they’ve been rewarded for their efforts this season.”
Although this talented trio will umpire the Interleague Grand Final this year, Pallini says this is possible to achieve for any umpire in the future, given that they work hard and liaise with their coaches.
“Whether you’re a first year, whether you’re a fourth or fifth year, it’s about making sure that you have a plan, you listen to your coaches, listen to your feedback, seek good feedback, and making sure you’re always thinking about ‘what can I improve on?’,” the Junior Umpiring Head Coach said.
Not only does this opportunity provide benefits for field umpires, but EDFL boundary and goal umpires will also add this accolade to their umpiring career.
Young guns, Thomas Sayers and Jack Brooker will be running the boundary while experienced duo, Andrew Pritchard and Angelos Karavassilis will be waving the flags in the goals.
The Metro Junior Championships Under 14 Division 1 Grand Final will take place on Saturday, 2.15pm at Eltham Central Park.
