THE football umpiring career of local woman, Bec Malseed, is going from strength to strength after she was awarded the AFL Victoria Umpiring Service Award for 2024 for Community football.
Having only taken up umpiring 18 months ago, Malseed has already caught the eye of those within the local football leagues for her handling of both male and female football games.
AFL Victoria held its awards event earlier this month at IKON Park and although Malseed was unable to attend, she was hugely surprised to win the award.
“(I am ) very proud and humbled to be nominated and receive this award, its incredible achievement for me, and I just want to thank those that nominated me for the award,” Malseed said.
A member of the Western District Umpires Association (WDUA), Malseed has made great strides in her development as an umpire to the stage where she was named to officiate in two grand finals this past season.
“Clinton Thomas, out at the Cavendish football club, first got me involved in umpiring, and he ran with me for three quarters of a game and the final quarter of the game I was on my own and loved it and it just grew from there,” Malseed said.
“I’ve been trying to promote women and girls in umpiring in the south-west district and I’ve been umpiring games in all ages and formats to show that women can do the job.
“I umpire the senior men in the Mininera league, the Under-18s in the Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) and the women’s league (Western Victoria Female Football League) and did the grand final in Under-14 boys in HFNL, and the Under-18 girls in the Western Victoria Female Football League.”
“I want to be a role model for all women and girls, and I’ve learnt so many life skills as an umpire where I have been able to build resilience, communication skills and adjudication skills.
“Now that I’m looking at retiring from playing, I want to take my umpiring even further.
“I want to learn and be guided by the best umpires available, and every senior umpire that I’ve encountered has been very knowledgeable and greatly helpful.”
Malseed not only umpires locally, but also holds a separate role within the WDUA.
“I belong to the Western District Umpires Association at present, where I am the Women’s and Girls Liaison Officer through a grant from AFL Victoria, where I help promote umpiring to any female considering taking it up,” she said.
“I’m also on the advisory board for Western Victoria Female Football League where I help advise on all things concerning umpires.
“There are currently four female umpires in the WDUA ranks and I’m also wanting to grow that number, where they will learn all about how to umpire, not just field but also goal and boundary umpiring too.
“There is a shortage of umpires across the board; not just women, and we would love to have anyone who is interested in giving it go to come along and join.”
With all officials who are acknowledged at the local level, talk of going on to higher levels ensues.
“Maybe in a couple of years I would like to take it to the next level at VFL or AFL level, but that is going to take quite a few years to get to that standard though.” Malseed said.
“I would love to see a breast cancer awareness game in the local area, which may even become a whole round which would be incredible.
“I love to talk to people and chat about umpiring and more than happy to talk about them taking the role up
“I want to have a real go at making it in the Hampden FNL and rising through the ranks there as it’s the best league in the south-west.”
Pre-season for Malseed begins in summer, but she is currently umpiring in the Limestone Coast Women’s Football League, where she is improving her skills every week.
“I want to thank all the umpires who ran with me over this season and helped guide me in my awareness of the game and decisions, plus those that nominated me for the award,” Malseed said.
“I’m very humbled.”
