Sport
18 June, 2023
Ian hits 800 games
Wimmera Mallee goal umpire Ian Nicholson has reached the landmark of officiating 800 games. Mr Nicholson reached this milestone in the Ararat versus Minyip-Murtoa game at Alexandra Oval in Ararat on May 27. "It was just another game, as you put your...
Wimmera Mallee goal umpire Ian Nicholson has reached the landmark of officiating 800 games.
Mr Nicholson reached this milestone in the Ararat versus Minyip-Murtoa game at Alexandra Oval in Ararat on May 27.
"It was just another game, as you put your last one behind you," Mr Nicholson said.
"Every week you go out and do your best."
After a total knee reconstruction a year earlier, the Stawell-based umpire debuted in 1982 as a volunteer club umpire at Navarre Football Club.
He started his professional umpiring career in 2000.
He spent 18 years as a club umpire for Navarre in the Lexton League and four years with the Ballarat umpires' group.
He then took a seven-year break from the game while serving as a Northern Grampians Shire councillor.
He started again in 2011 with the Wimmera Umpires Group.
Mr Nicholson was also a part of the Rupanyup's seniors team which won the premiership in 1973.
His grandson now plays football in U14s.
Mr Nicholson has supervised 12 grand finals in three leagues in his career: five in Wimmera, two in Horsham and five in Lexton.
"Supervising 12 grand finals is the biggest up in my career," he said.
"I've been a goal umpire since I started."
Mr Nicholson has no plans to retire any time soon.
"I'll keep doing umpiring while I can," he said.
"I'll only stop when my body wouldn't allow me to do it any more."
Mr Nicholson was awarded a gold microphone in 2019 by the Wimmera Mallee Umpires Association.
He encouraged the people of Wimmera to get involved in umpiring as a career.
"Just give it a go," he said.
"It's the best seat in the house.
"You make many friends in it with footy players and other umpires."