BENDIGO boundary umpire Bronte Annand helped make football history last weekend, when she was part of the first all-female panel to officiate at a TAC Cup match.
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The 18-year-old ran the line at Warrawee Park in Melbourne as the Oakleigh Chargers hosted the North Ballarat Rebels on Saturday.
“Walking on to the ground was just an amazing experience,” she said. “There were cameras everywhere and it was a really big deal.”
Annand said the game went smoothly and the eight female umpires were well received by the crowd.
“They were very supportive and I could hear comments like ‘good throw in, ump’.”
Annand is a member of the AFL Victoria boundary umpire rookie squad.
She trains with the VFL umpires once a month and is occasionally chosen to officiate at TAC Cup games, usually the Bendigo Pioneers.
The talented teen completed her VCE last year and has deferred university studies to focus on umpiring.
“Hopefully next year, they will take me on as a full-time development umpire.”
Annand is in her sixth season of umpiring, running the boundary line in the Bendigo league seniors and taking on central duties in junior matches.
She rated last Saturday’s landmark match as her second-biggest occasion, behind officiating in the 2014 BFNL senior grand final.