Zoe Fitzhardinge and Lachlan Carter to make senior goal umpiring debuts

Zoe Fitzhardinge, 14, will be in goals for the South Rovers versus Timboon Demons game while Lachlan Carter, 15, will signal the scores when Panmure takes on Kolora-Noorat on Saturday.

The Brauer College students are in their first season with the Warrnambool and District Football Umpires Association and have quickly worked their way up the ranks to earn their senior debuts.

Fitzhardinge has officiated three games in the Warrnambool and District league's under 15s and 18s after joining her father Cris, a fellow umpire, in the WDFUA's ranks this year.

"I haven't been going for long but to get a senior game already feels really good," she said.

"My dad got me into it as he has been umpiring for a few years now. He thought it would be good for me to try and get into it and it's been a lot of fun.

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"The games have progressed really quickly but I've done pretty well in them and I'm glad to be getting my first game."

Carter's journey to a senior debut has taken slightly longer, progressing from signalling the scores for his home club Merrivale to joining the association this year.

"(Director of umpiring) Nicole (Downie) saw me out at one of the ressies' games and got me up here and I have enjoyed it," he said.

Fitzhardinge, who moved from Western Australia to Warrnambool last year, said she was raring to go for her opportunity this weekend.

"I'm definitely getting quite confident and I won't have anybody behind me helping out and it feels pretty good to know they trust me," she said.

"I had someone with me helping me through it and giving me help or instructions or reminding me of something I had to do."

Carter said he was excited and nervous but was looking forward to "watching the game and doing something I love in the best seat in the house" for the first time in the senior grade this weekend.

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ONE was introduced by her father and the other spotted officiating his club's reserves but despite differing journeys both Zoe Fitzhardinge and Lachlan Carter will make their senior goal umpiring debuts in the same round.

Fitzhardinge, 14, will be in goals for the South Rovers versus Timboon Demons game while Carter, 15, will signal the scores when Panmure takes on Kolora-Noorat on Saturday.

The Brauer College students are in their first season with the Warrnambool and District Football Umpires Association and have quickly worked their way up the ranks.

Fitzhardinge has officiated three games in the Warrnambool and District league's under 15s and 18s after joining her father Cris, a fellow umpire, in the WDFUA's ranks.

"I haven't been going for long but to get a senior game already feels really good," she said.

"My dad got me into it as he has been umpiring for a few years now. He thought it would be good for me to try and get into it and it's been a lot of fun.

"The games have progressed really quickly but I've done pretty well in them and I'm glad to be getting my first game."

Carter's journey to a senior debut has taken slightly longer, progressing from signalling scores for his home club Merrivale into joining the association this year.

"(Director of umpiring) Nicole (Downie) saw me out at one of the ressie's games and got me up here and I've enjoyed it," he said.

Fitzhardinge, who moved from Western Australian to Warrnambool last year, said she was raring to go for her opportunity this weekend.

"I'm definitely getting quite confident. I won't have anybody behind me helping out and it feels pretty good to know they trust me," she said.

"I had someone with me helping me through it and giving me help or instruction or reminding me of something I had to do."

Carter said he was excited and nervous but looked forward to "watching the game and doing something I love in the best seat in the house" for the first time in the senior grade this weekend.