BALLARAT Football Umpires Association members gathered to celebrate the latest milestone for AFL umpire Shane McInerney.<\/p>\n
He officiated his 500th match at the MCG in the game between Richmond and Melbourne on Saturday, 3 August.<\/p>\n
McInerney was 16 when he began his umpiring career with BFUA.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was fun, enjoyable and a fantastic experience for an excited 16-year-old to join such a welcoming group,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He is immensely proud and satisfied that he has been able to maintain a level of performance that has allowed him to reach the landmark.<\/p>\n
The first of McInerney\u2019s 500 games came in round six of the 1994 season between Carlton and Sydney at Princes Park.<\/p>\n
McInerney said he is very appreciative of all the people who have been there along the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks to my supporters, mentors and other umpire teammates, you can\u2019t do it on your own\u201d he said. \u201cHowever, it is fair to say though that I have done most of the heavy lifting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Justin Davey, BFUA Chair, said the board of directors and its members, congratulate McInerney on his tremendous achievements as an AFL umpire.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love telling the youngsters, \u2018see where you can end up when you start at with the locals,\u2019\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BALLARAT Football Umpires Association members gathered to celebrate the latest milestone for AFL umpire Shane McInerney. He officiated his 500th match at the MCG in the game between Richmond and Melbourne on Saturday, 3 August. McInerney was 16 when he began his umpiring career with BFUA. \u201cIt was fun, enjoyable and a fantastic experience for […]<\/p>\n