Sport
16 May, 2025
Umpiring becomes a family tradition
FOOTBALL umpires across the district are achieving some remarkable milestones this season.
Among those to reach special ‘milestone matches’ recently was president of the Western District Football Umpires Association Andrew Lougheed, who last Saturday officiated his 450th game.
“My 450th game was the Allansford and Nirranda senior match on the weekend,” Lougheed said.
“It was another great day; I really enjoy my time out there with the whistle.”
Lougheed’s introduction to footy umpiring began back in the late 1980s when he began on the boundary.
He officiated 101 games before transitioning into the centre in the early 90s.
He finished umpiring in Warrnambool around 1995, having met the requirements for life membership, and moved to Melbourne.
“I continued umpiring for a few years while in Melbourne but had to give it up because of work commitments,” Lougheed said.
“I moved back to Warrnambool with a young family in 2013 and re-joined the WDFUA for some social interaction.
“I actually didn’t appreciate just how much I missed being involved until I made my comeback to umpiring.”
Lougheed took on the WDFUA presidency last year and now also enjoys seeing his two sons, Michael and Aaron, also developing their own umpire credentials.
“I really enjoy umpiring and it’s great to see my boys, aged 15 and 13, now also progressing with the whistle.”
Fellow WDFUA umpire Casey O’Keefe also reached a very special milestone last weekend – officiating at his 700th game.
“Casey has been a sensational umpire for our association for many years and has officiated many senior grand finals over that time,” Lougheed said.
“He joined the umpiring ranks in the 1990s as a way of earning a bit of extra money and to get fit. He’s a great man and a great umpire.”
Jamie Keane was another to reach a milestone last weekend, officiated his 50th game as a field umpire.
