Jordyn Pearson has made history as just the second woman field umpire in the history of the AFL competition.
Pearson’s promotion from the rookie list will see her become the second woman field umpire in the history of the AFL competition, after Eleni Tee was the first woman field umpire to officiate an AFL game in 2017.
She has officiated 50 AFLW games, including the 2022 AFLW season 6 grand final, and 58 Victorian Football League games to date.
She was also named the AFLW umpiring rising star in 2024 and joined the AFLW Competition Committee in 2025 – the only umpire to be appointed to the committee.
Pearson, who came through the ranks in the Essendon District Football League and is from the Sunbury region, is honoured to be elevated to AFL level.
“I’m very proud and grateful for this opportunity. There’s been a lot of time spent working to achieve this dream, and now that it has happened, it’s unbelievable,” she said.
“To be only the second woman field umpire at AFL level is pretty special, but it also shows what is possible. I hope that by stepping out onto the field, I can inspire the next generation of umpires.
“Women and girls’ representation in football have grown rapidly over the past 10 years, and AFLW has been the catalyst for the change. It’s fantastic to see more women and girls involved in the game, from players and coaches to umpires and volunteers.
“There are more and more women being promoted to state league football or AFLW every year. It is hard to be what you cannot see, so young girls can now see that it is possible to play, coach, or umpire at higher levels.”
AFL Head of officiating Stephen McBurney said it was exciting to see Pearson join the ranks.
“Jordyn – an AFLW rising Star winner, AFLW grand final umpire, and VFL finals umpire – will join Eleni Tee as only the second woman in 130 years to field umpire at the highest level.
“Jordyn’s elevation to the AFL list is a significant milestone in what has been a record-breaking year for women in umpiring.”
