Juanita Millowick breaking new ground among GFL umpiring panel

Juanita Millowick breaks new ground on Saturday as a field umpire in the Goldfields Football League clash between Kalgoorlie and Mines Rovers at Sir Richard Moore Sports Centre.

Her promotion comes barely a year after joining an umpiring panel that was battling a major shortage of numbers.

GFL umpire commissioner Brenden Ah-Kim said Millowick — the first women’s field umpire in the region to officiate a league clash — had earned her opportunity.

“She came down last year after a couple of rounds, among two recruits with Toby Virgin who is also a league field umpire,” he said.

“Her background is in touch football and netball, as an organiser and official, and she’s very resilient.

“She demonstrated that from the get-go and was quite comfortable stepping up from women’s games to colts midway through last year.

“What stood out was her movement around the ground and her communication skills are fantastic.

“The best part is that she’s a very fast learner and passionate about what she’s doing.

“How she actually got into umpiring was as one of those parents watching from the sidelines as umpires doubled-up in games who wanted to get involved and help out.”

Ah-Kim said Millowick was nominated among five umpires to undergo an accreditation assessment, introduced this year in the GFL to increase the number of league-qualified umpires.

“In the past two years, the number of female umpires joining the GFL has grown,” he said.

“We now have two female field umpires, four in goals (three at league level), two casual player/field umpires and two new applicants yet to start.

“Our youngest is 16 years-old into her second season and already accredited with a handful a league games.”