AFL umpire heads back to where dad's umpiring journey started

AFL field umpire Cameron Dore visited Gippsland Umpires Association training in Drouin to meet local umpires and pass on advice, with the 2023 season kicking into gear.

Dore's links to the region are strong as his father Gavin Dore, who umpired 302 AFL matches, first umpired for the Gippsland Umpires Association.

As of the end of Round Six of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, Dore has umpired 64 games at the men's elite level having debuted in 2019. 

Dore said it was a great night at the Gippsland Umpires Association training. 

"It was a fantastic turn out from all the umpires who engaged and participated in the skill drills organised", said Dore.

"It was great heading back to community level and being involved in Thursday night dinner which I miss at the elite level. It was also very special to head to the community umpiring group my dad started umpiring at and see the acknowledgment on their walls of his AFL achievements because he was the one who inspired me to become an AFL umpire. 

"I hope my attendance inspires the next generation of umpires to be involved in the game for as long as possible no matter what level they umpire at.”

The Gippsland Umpires Association is the official umpiring body of the Ellinbank & District Football League and, in conjunction with neighbouring panels, the Gippsland League and West Gippsland Football Netball Competition.

There are around 17,000 registered umpires in community football across Australia, but more are needed to cater for the game's growth. Umpiring is a great way to be involved in footy. For more information on umpiring visit play.afl/umpire. 

PHOTO GALLERY: