Aspiring football field umpire Chelsea Holmes has Adelaide Oval in her sights
CHELSEA Holmes hopes to one day run onto Adelaide Oval in front of thousands of screaming fans — but not as a player.
CHELSEA Holmes hopes to one day run onto Adelaide Oval in front of thousands of screaming fans — but not as a player.
The 15-year-old is an aspiring football field umpire.
She made a small step towards her dream last month when she officiated in an under-8s match between Glenunga and Goodwood Saints.
“I was extremely nervous before my first game,” Chelsea, of Camden Park, says.
“It was really hard knowing the rules because under-8 rules are so different to regular rules and I had to make sure I was blowing the whistle hard enough and consistently.
“The kids were really nice and it was good to be involved and not just watching from the sidelines.
“If an opportunity arose and I was able to umpire AFL, then it would be great.”
The Year 10 Saint Aloysius College student is one of 12 to have joined the SANFL Female Umpiring Academy since it was formed in May.
Chelsea has officiated in two more junior games since her debut.
“I have really enjoyed it,” she says.
“In my second game I loosened up a bit more instead of being so nervous.”
Chelsea, who is also a member of Camden Athletics Club, hopes to follow in the footsteps of umpiring trailblazer Eleni Glouftsis.
Glouftsis, who is from Prospect but has moved to Melbourne to pursue her career, became the first woman to umpire an AFL game when she controlled the Carlton versus Essendon pre-season game at Ikon Park in Melbourne this year.
“Eleni spoke to us at one of the training sessions about her experiences and encouraged us to keep umpiring,” Chelsea says.
“If I become good enough … I would hope to be a role model to other female umpires like Eleni.”