Sport
14 July, 2023
Youngster to represent state at umpiring
Horsham’s young umpire Kynan Stasinowsky is to represent the state team at this year’s School Sport Australia 15 Years and Under Football championship. Kynan, a Horsham College grade 10 student, will be a boundary umpire for the Victorian squad...
Horsham’s young umpire Kynan Stasinowsky is to represent the state team at this year’s School Sport Australia 15 Years and Under Football championship.
Kynan, a Horsham College grade 10 student, will be a boundary umpire for the Victorian squad in Ballarat from July 22 to 29.
He expects to officiate 15 games in Ballarat over a week.
“I’m glad that I get to do it, considering that I haven’t even completed a full season of umpiring yet, which I don’t think many people can do,” he said.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
Kynan started umpiring with about six rounds left last season in 2022.
“I’m like, I’ll give it a go, and when I went to training one night, I just liked it,” he said.
Kynan’s first duty as an umpire was the U17 Demons V Eagles game at the City Oval.
“The first feeling that came into my head was 'don’t stuff up',” he said.
“I had a good experience in the first game.”
Kynan also enjoys athletics, and is a swimming assistant at the local swimming school.
He said at first umpiring was like a side interest, helping to keep him fit.
He attends umpire training every week and also watches footy games on television to improve his education of the game.
“I like umpring and footy, so I get a bit of both when I'm watching footy on the TV.
"I pick up a little bit there, but I also like training,” he said.
“My dream is to officiate at an AFL Grand Final.”
He encouraged other local youngster to get involved in umpiring.
"Give it a go. You might like it, and eventually, you might be able to umpire AFL," he said.
Kynan said he would like to become an Olympian or AFL official umpire in the future.
Tadgh and Jarhyn McGrath, two brothers from Horsham, will also represent the state team in the School Sport Australia Football championship.