Riddell District Football League legend Ollie Matthews has umpired more games than most people have ever watched.
Still keen as ever, Matthews, who is in his 70s, stepped out to umpire four games on the weekend across seniors and juniors.
The first of those games was as goal umpire for the under-19s match between Woodend-Hesket and Lancefield on Saturday morning.
While not many people will remember the match nor the result, it will be one that Matthews remembers for a long time to come.
Matthews, who has umpired more than 1500 games, was up the other end of the field to his granddaughter Kirra Courtice, who was umpiring just her fourth game
Matthews had stood behind 14-year-old Kirra to help her learn, but it was the first time the two had umpired together and they’re hoping that it won’t be the last.
Speaking before the game, Matthews said he was pretty excited about the opportunity to umpire together and it was something that they would both remember for a long time.
The two came to the game together in what was part of the special day. Matthews was back in action later that day, before stepping in a field umpire on the Sunday for juniors.
Matthews still plays football in masters competitions.
Matthews, a former president of the RDFL, encouraged anyone interested in umpiring to get involved. The league like many others has struggled to attract new members, with the impact of COVID-19 hitting hard.
“If any young boy or girl would be interested in becoming an umpire, any discipline field, boundary or goal the umpires train every Wednesday at MacPherson Park, Melton between 6.00pm – 7.00pm.
“It is a good way of meeting friends, being involved in football, keeping fit, and earning a bit of pocket money.”
Tara Murray
