Congratulations to Former Cobras player – Andrew Heffernan who has joined the AFL umpiring ranks.
Andrew started umpiring in the YJFL as a boundary umpire when he was 12 in 2005. He then changed to field Umpiring half way through the season.
Andrew played school footy at the same time as well as Cobras. Andrew played Cobras for six seasons in total before school football and umpiring meant he stopped playing Cobras.
Like many boys, Andrew saw umpiring as a way to earn some good money as a 12 year old and something he could carry through his teen years.
Andrew says, “I also saw it as an opportunity to be involved in a high level of the game down the track.”
Fourteen years after that first run at Canterbury Oval, he’s reached the big time with his first senior game at the MCG.
Andrew says, “I encourage anyone who loves footy, wants to earn some pocket money or stay fit to become involved. It can be challenging at times, however character building and rewarding at the same time. As the game expands more umpires are needed.”
There’s an ongoing shortage so please contact the YJFL if you want to get involved!
Well done Andrew. Maybe he will one day catch Shane McInerney who umpired a record 496th Senior Game this weekend!