Junior umpire Lumyai Eager to make NTFL Men’s Premier League debut

LUMYAI Eager will make her TIO NTFL Men’s Premier League umpiring debut during the Round 18 match between Tiwi and Palmerston at TIO Stadium.

Young female umpire Lumyai Eager will make her NTFL Premier League debut in the Tiwi v Palmerston Round 18 clash at TIO Stadium on Saturday. Picture: AFLNT Media

LUMYAI Eager will make her NTFL Men’s Premier League umpiring debut during the Round 18 match between Tiwi and Palmerston at TIO Stadium on Saturday.

Eager had previously become the first female umpire to debut in the Alice Springs’ CAFL seniors competition during the 2020 season at just 19.

Moving from Thailand at an early age, Lumyai began her umpiring journey as a boundary umpire in Alice Springs, before she moved into field umpiring only two seasons ago.

She has since progressed through the ranks in the CAFL and is now being rewarded for her commitment, reliability and performance since arriving in Darwin in Round 4 of the NTFL season.

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The young umpire has umpired 23 games in the Women’s Premier League and Division 1 competitions, impressing senior officials across the league.

AFLNT Umpire Development Coordinator Sam Cunningham was impressed by Lumyai’s development, seeing her grow as a leader both on and off the field.

“It is fantastic to see the journey Lumyai has taken and she is highly deserving of her debut this weekend,” Cunningham said.

“This will hopefully lay the foundation for many more of our young and developing female talent to come through and umpire at the pinnacle of NTFL football.”

Lumyai’s first game caps off a season of debuts for female field umpires in the senior NTFL competitions.

Only two weeks ago, 15-year-old Emma Stark debuted in the NTFL Women’s Premier League after strong performances throughout the year.

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Siobhan Luczak also debuted in the Men’s Division 1 Competition in Round 17, giving her exposure to senior men’s football.