Football
10 March, 2025
WMUA announce 2025 coaches
The Wimmera Mallee Umpires Association has named its coaches for the 2025 season and is also using this opportunity to invite females to umpire, as now is the best time to join the group.
Cameron Pickering is the field umpires coach again, and he has been doing this role on and off for the last 10-15 years. David Thomas is the goal umpires coach and has been doing it on and off. Kynan Stasinowsky takes the reins as boundary umpiring coach. This is his first year as coach, and he has only been umpiring for three years.
Pickering said he is hopeful people sign up.
"We are looking forward to getting recruits and stabilising the group, giving opportunities to existing members, and allowing a pathway for people to get to AFL and AFLW," Pickering said.
"I am keen for the club umpires to get another level of professionalism and think that they are worthy of coming on board and being part of this third team and upskill their knowledge of the game, where to run, and how to work in tandem and partnership with each other."
Pickering said having Amy Stasinowsky as president should give females the confidence to take up umpiring.
"Having Amy as that figurehead shows that we welcome anyone," Pickering said.
"We also have varying age gaps, and age groups do not restrict umpiring.
"After spending a few days at the AFL house, having Chloe Haughton as a female lead will be good support as a mentor and role model for female umpires.
"It's a paid role from AFL Victoria, and we are thankful for the support and help females transition."
Kynan Stasinowsky has risen in three years and took up boundary umpiring coaching because he was encouraged by the VFL umpires.
"I was told by the VFL group that I would make a good coach and would be able to pass down my knowledge from that level," Stasinowsky said.
"I helped out a little last year and found it good. I got the respect of the younger kids and decided to give it a go.
"It's something that I enjoy and something I hope that I can make an improvement on in the community.
"I am excited to consolidate my knowledge and teach the kids how to be better and help them progress to the next stage."
"I want to bring a better experience for them and for them to have a great knowledge and enjoy the game more, be able to read the play better, and just make them feel better about what they are doing and enjoy the experience."
President Amy Stasinowsky said that umpiring is a good hobby that you can get paid to do.
"You get paid for umpiring games, so it's a good hobby to take up," Stasinowsky said.
"We would like to see more people get involved, particularly women, and we don't want them to think that they can't do it, because they can."
When asked what she would like to see of the group this year, Stasinowsky pointed out "cohesiveness."
"I would love to see them become an amazing cohesive unit," Stasinowsky said.
"I want to see them embrace the challenges that every season brings. It's a massive mix of experience, and we want to create an environment where people are eager to join."