Eleni Glouftsis says she’s honoured to do her bit for football and quarantine before becoming first woman to officiate a Showdown
SA umpire Eleni Glouftsis will make a sacrifice to officiate at the Showdown – and make history as well.
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South Australia’s Eleni Glouftsis is ‘humbled’ to become the first female field umpire to officiate a Showdown and ensure a critical home town clash between the Crows and Power.
Melbourne-based Croweaters Glouftsis, Leigh Haussen and Craig Fleer will breathe new meaning into state-of-origin commitment by umpiring the June 13, Round 2 Showdown. Glouftsis, Haussen, Fleer and veteran umpire Matt Nicholls will park their own lives through a 14-day quarantine in Adelaide before Showdown 48 which enables the Crows and Power’s lockdown on the Gold Coast to be slashed by weeks.
“It will be very unique and growing up watching Showdowns the passion between the teams is fierce. This first game back will be special for everyone,” Glouftsis told The Advertiser.
“We haven’t had football for such a long time.
“I can’t be more passionate to be a South Australian and looking forward to umpiring AFL at Adelaide Oval for the first time.”
The South Australian government allowed an Adelaide Oval Showdown on the condition AFL umpires self-isolated for two weeks.
“We understand how important it is to get footy up and running and as an umpiring group that is our love. We are lucky there are four umpires who can do it and looking forward to get stuck into the game,” said Glouftsis.
“We are really excited.”
Having undertaken some ‘unpleasant’ COVID-19 tests on Monday, Nicholls and Fleer are driving to Adelaide from Melbourne. Glouftsis and Haussen are flying to start government enforced quarantine on Wednesday.
“In this instance we can put our hands up and go into quarantine for 14 days to get that game under way. The bonus of being able to see our families is pretty important as well,” Glouftsis.
“We were contacted by the AFL umpires association and AFL to ask who would be available to participate in a hub. A few people said they would be available if something like this was to occur. This game came up.
“We will be tested right throughout the season. The players will be tested 24 hours before the game to make sure we are alright to perform.”
Having become the AFL’s first female field umpire in 2017 aged 25 and Young South Australian of the year in 2019, Glouftsis is now realising a cherished Showdown ambition.
“Just to umpire AFL was the dream and now to umpire a Showdown at Adelaide Oval is unbelievable. I could never have imagined it,” said Glouftsis, a qualified teacher.
AFL umpires have copped a 50 per cent pay cut and been forced to training individually since the season was suspended in March. Glouftsis concedes umpires, like players, will be rusty but focused on the bigger picture of saving the industry.
“Like everyone we understand these times are different and have to make sacrifices so the game can continue,” said Glouftsis, whose partner is fellow AFL umpire Dillon Tee.
“We had to make some pay cuts as well, we have had the AFLUA working with us to make sure footy can continue in 2020 and to 2021.
“We couldn’t be more happy to get football back.”