Umpires seize Interleague opportunity

Today's two inter-league matches between the Bendigo Football Netball League and Victorian Amateur Football Association at the QEO are not just an opportunity for the best footballers in our region to showcase their talents.

It's also an opportunity for some of the Bendigo Umpires Association's best umpires to put their skills to the test at a higher level.

BUA selectors have highlighted the inter-league games as the next step in the development of four of the region's most talented young field umpires.

David Carter (23) and Nathan Dunn (17) have been rewarded for their form in the first half of the season by earning selection to officiate the senior inter-league battle.

Jack Osborne (19) and Will Robinson (17) have also impressed in senior football across central Victoria this season and they'll officiate the under-19 inter-league game.

Considering two-thirds of the field umpires in the BUA are aged between 40 and 75, the development of umpires aged 23-and-under is crucial to the future of community football.

That's why stepping up to inter-league level is just as important for umpires as it is to the players.

The BUA has a proud tradition of being a launching pad for boundary umpires to start their journey to the highest level.

In today's two games, six of the BUA's most talented boundary umpires have earned the right to umpire at the next level.

Patrick Murphy, George Stockdale and Logan Poke will represent the BUA as boundary umpires in the senior game.

Charlie Scholes, Cooper Scholes and Lachlan Mitchell will represent the BUA as boundary umpires in the under-19 game.

Full list of officiating umpires for Sunday's Interleague clash

Good luck to all umpires and players in today's games.

It's great to have inter-league games back at the home of country footy.