Emmanuel Irra and Zibeon Fielding share their journey as they take steps toward becoming AFL umpires
A refugee who learnt to fit in on the footy field and a proud Yankunytjatjara man determined to close the gap through sport are on their way to becoming AFL umpires.
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They come from different walks of life but for two big South Australian names football has played a pivotal role in their paths and now they have taken a giant step closer to an AFL dream.
Adelaide Footy League umpires Emmanuel Irra – one of the first African professionals in footy – and Zibeon Fielding – a proud Yankunytjatjara man and SA’s 2020 Young Australian of the Year – are being fast-tracked by the AFL’s umpiring department.
It’s been a remarkable journey in footy for 27-year-old Irra, who instantly fell in love with the game after arriving from war-torn Uganda at just 11 years old.
“My parents put me on a plane to Australia and I didn’t really know where I was going to end up, it was scary, but I knew I had the chance to make a better life for myself if I worked hard,” Irra said.
“I went to school in Bellevue Heights to learn English before heading to Sacred Heart College and I found that footy was a great way to integrate.
“It allowed me to make friends and gave me something to relate to the other kids about.”
Irra eventually developed into a powerful midfielder for the school and was picked up by South Adelaide.
He then made history in 2016 by reaching Port Adelaide’s AFL list, becoming the league’s first Ugandan player, before returning to the SANFL with Norwood.
He is now in his first year of umpiring in the Adelaide Footy League.
“My time in footy has taught me a lot of life lessons,” Irra said.
“Life gets difficult and tough but if you work hard you can achieve what you want to.
“It’s like that in football, you have to work hard to not let your teammates down, and it’s the same with my new journey in umpiring – you put in the time to get better and help each other.”
Fielding’s journey was a bit different.
Growing up in Mimili in the APY Lands, he was involved in footy from a young age but eventually took up marathon running for the Indigenous Marathon Foundation to raise funds to close the health gap for Indigenous Australians.
He was recognised as SA’s Young Australian of the Year in 2020 for his efforts.
“Footy has been my life. I always watched the fellas play out on the desert since I was a kid and started playing with the Mimili Blues when I was old enough,” Fielding said.
“I then got a scholarship to Mercedes College and played there.
“I then returned to Mimili to captain the team but I also became passionate about helping Indigenous communities.”
Fielding ran in New York, Boston and Tokyo from 2016 to 2018 before running an ultra marathon through the APY Lands to raise over $50,000 for the Purple House – a centre in Alice Springs which helps people undergo dialysis.
Now the 28-year-old wants to follow in the footsteps of Glenn James – the VFL/AFL’s first Indigenous umpire.
“I moved back to Adelaide with my family and decided to take up umpiring in the Adelaide Footy League,” Fielding said.
“I’m loving it and eventually I want to make the AFL so I can show people like me that you can get to that level, even if you aren’t a player.”
Irra added to Fielding’s sentiment.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re African, blue, green, whatever, you can make it if you put your mind to it, and if I can show kids that you don’t need to play to make the AFL, then that’s fantastic,” he said.
The pair have been supported by the AFL and new community umpiring development manager Brenton Sanderson as they work to progress to the national league.
On Wednesday they had the chance to train with AFL umpires Eleni Glouftis, Leigh Haussen, Craig Fleer and Chris Bull in Adelaide to mark Community Umpiring Week.
Adelaide Footy League umpiring manager Colin Rowston said he was grateful to the AFL for giving Fielding and Irra an opportunity.
“It’s a great opportunity for potential careers as AFL umpires and to continue as great role models for their communities,” he said.
They will also celebrate the league’s Umpire Appreciation Round this weekend where players will shake hands with officials before each game to acknowledge their contribution.
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