AFL umpire John Howorth heads to western Victoria to help juniors umpire

While he’s used to officiating in front of big crowds, John Howorth returned to country footy umpiring on the weekend alongside two young guns. Here’s how he’s hoping to break down barriers.

John Howorth with Phoenix Hopper and Cam Pickering as the trio umpire seniors in the Wimmera league. Picture: Shane Roberts.

An established AFL umpire believes country footy has a vital role to play in producing elite umpires but says more needs to be done.

Last Saturday, John Howorth travelled to the western Victorian town of Murtoa to help two rising junior umpires, Phoenix Hopper, 15, and Zak Pickering, 12, officiate matches in the Wimmera league between Minyip Murtoa and the Warrack Eagles.

Howorth, who has umpired more than 100 AFL games since his debut in 2019, was one of 100 AFL umpires involved in Community Umpiring Week which provided the opportunity for juniors to get valuable time and experience with them in grassroots matches.

But the experience is more than one day for Howorth, as he helps out the next generation.

He has a strong relationship with the young duo and on Saturday was alongside Hopper who officiated his first major country league senior game.

“I’m from Bendigo so I’ve been in the (Bendigo umpires) group as a part-time coach and in mentor roles since I’ve left the group to go to the VFL and then the AFL,” he said.

“I still train with Bendigo on a regular basis and mentor their umpires and young umpires especially.”

John Howorth umpires on Saturday during the senior match in the Wimmera league. Picture: Shane Roberts.

Howorth said it was vital in country football for elite umpires to impart their wisdom.

“There is a significant drop in country umpires represented at elite level,” Howorth said.

“A lot of the list is made up of metro umpires. It’s critical to motivate and inspire the young umpires to see that there is a pathway for them.

“To go out to the country and motivate the country umpires it shows them it is possible. You also talk to them about the barriers of travel.

“You say to them it can be done, how I’ve dealt with that in my experiences and then how that relates to them.”

Howorth said Hopper did well in his first taste of major senior footy.

“The game with Phoenix was more finer skills around decision making and management of the game,” he said.

“The thing for young Phoenix was a lot of young umpires generally can get involved when they get to senior footy.

“But he didn’t pay too many free kicks as they weren’t there. He had one free kick in the first quarter, which was warranted

“He had a good calm head on his shoulder, was relaxed, composed, and executed his decision making and skills nicely on the day.”

Hopper said it was great to learn from someone who he’s admired and been mentored by for the past couple of years.

“It was a great experience to have him on the sidelines guiding me through with some pointers,” he said.

“It really helped out my umpiring. It was an amazing opportunity.

“It’s one of the best things to ever happen for an AFL umpire to mentor me at a Wimmera game.”

Hopper hopes one day he can join Howorth in the AFL.