Katherine Towart umpires her two boys in an under-16 game at Bannockburn

Three years after playing footy alongside her two daughters, a proud mum from Maude held the whistle as her two boys lined up against each other in a junior game.

Inverleigh’s under-9s team. Picture: Alan Barber

They say grassroots footy is all about family.

And on Saturday morning down at Bannockburn, three members of the same clan hailing from Maude took things to new levels.

Brothers Mitch, 16, and Daniel Towart, 13, played against each other for Inverleigh and Bannockburn respectively in the under-16s.

Daniel had returned to the Tigers after previously playing with the Hawks before they merged with Modewarre.

However, it became a full-on family affair with the game officiated by mum Katherine on Saturday morning.

This masthead got wind of the story after the boys’ proud grandmother sent in a news tip earlier in the week.

And it came after Katherine played with her two daughters, Kaylee and Amber, in a practice match with Geelong Amateur in March, 2022.

Katherine Towart played a game of footy for the Ammos with daughters Kaylee and Amber. Picture: Katherine Towart.

Admitting the unique challenge of umpiring her own kids felt a bit daunting – the brothers lined up in the midfield at one stage – Katherine said it was a memorable day for the family with both grandmothers and an aunty cheering on from the sidelines.

“It was great to hear a bit of banter (between the teams), and they were encouraging each other too,” Katherine said of a match played in great spirits.

“My boys played about a quarter or a half on each other.”

Fortunately, she didn’t have to give a decision against either of her boys.

“That was a real shame,” she said with a laugh.

“It all went well.

“I did have the coaches ask me: ‘did you want the boys playing on each other?’ I said you do your game plan.”

Katherine Towart umpired her two boys, Daniel and Mitch, in the Bannockburn v Inverleigh match. Picture: Katherine Towart.

Katherine first got into umpiring after there was a late withdrawal in a junior game last year.

While initially reluctant, she eventually grabbed the whistle, took charge and discovered a new niche in the game.

“I loved it,” Katherine said.

“I love being able to get out on the footy field because I love footy, and I figure, if I can’t play I’ll umpire.

“The kids are great and I love getting out there with them, having fun, getting fit and enjoying football.

“I don’t know if it’s happened before, there’s not many female umpires, especially of my vintage.”

Originally published as Katherine Towart umpires her two boys in an under-16 game at Bannockburn