Rounding out the pre-season profile series is the man in the hot seat, new Head of Umpiring Darren Goldspink. Darren has made an immediate impression on the group through getting to know his charges by training with the group, and through his open and honest approach. Possessing an outstanding umpiring background, both on and off the field, there is no doubt that once the season gets underway, the full value of Darren’s experience will be evident. We welcome Darren and his family to the EFL and look forward to a positive and collaborative relationship... get to know a little more about him here ABOUT YOU Name: Darren Goldspink Nick Name: too many to mention… I wonder if any of them is complimentary??? – Ed. Family: Lyndell (wife) Lauren, Tayla & Georgia (daughters) Nelson (dog) Hobbies: Golf, running backwards Shirt Number: 32 AFL Games: 371 AFL Finals: 37 AFL Grand Finals: 6 All Australian Umpire: 3 times AFL Club Supported: any except Hawthorn… I’m warming to you – Ed. FAVOURITES Movies: Trading Places, The Fugitive, We’re the Millers TV Shows: Sons of Anarchy, Home & Away… WTF??? – Ed. Actors: Eddie Murphy, Jarrod Waite… best answer yet - Ed. Books: Laws of Australian Football 2014… wish you knew the rules before crucifying the Bulldogs all the time! – Ed. Drink: Smoothie Food: all… and it shows - Lyndell Restaurant: Café 57 Mount Waverley… Mr Mitchum??? - Ed Holiday Destination: Thailand Worst habit: Biting my toenails… I can’t even get my foot to my mouth! – Ed. QUESTIONS If you could invite any five people to dinner, who would they be? Greg Norman, Nelson Mandela, Steven Dank, James Packer and James Hird... wouldnt mind being a fly on the wall for that one! - Ed. Who inspires you? My daughter Georgia Other than Michael Vozzo, who was your most annoying umpiring mate and why? Shane McInerney, because he’s lazy What is the proudest moment in your umpiring career? Having been able to umpire for so long… and not be killed??? – Ed. Best umpire you ran with? Hayden Kennedy... looking for a job next year are we??? - Ed. Best player you umpired? Robert Harvey Player who gave the most lip? Darren Milburn Best game you umpired? 1996 Preliminary Final, 2005 Grand Final… both remarkable Sydney victories remembered respectively for the Tony Lockett after siren point and the Leo Barry mark – Ed... and D Goldspinks umpiring - D Goldspink Most satisfying performance in a game? Most games… I suppose you are entitled to your opinion, however wrong it is – Ed. Which was the most memorable of your 6 AFL Grand Finals? 2005 What three words best describe you? Motivated, hard working Umpiring philosophy for the EFL Umpires? Provide each and every umpire with the opportunity to learn, improve and perform in a supportive and innovative environment that encourages honesty and respect of each other.” Major goal for 2014? Improvement in each and every umpire THIS OR THAT – don’t think too hard, just give us your first answer Sprint, Middle or Long distance? Not interested in running Phil Murton or Matt Bishop? Ask me in a couple of months Cricket or Golf? Golf Clarkey or Taba? Clarkey is the better bloke but Taba shouts me a coffee every now and then, so I had better say him Weigh in or skin folds? Neither... yep, I like you now - Ed. Sawers or Gieschen? As above Facebook, Twitter or Instagram? Facebook… imagine how you feel when you work out how it works! – Ed. Beiber or One Direction? Five Seconds of Summer are hot Jocks or Boxers? G Gary Ablett Senior or Junior? Junior Heart or Victory? Victory Glass half full or half empty? Half full Remember, when you take the field this weekend, in your first game of 271st game, do you best and have fun. Good luck to all umpires.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 08:15:00 +0000