Scott Hansford (above left) and Ben Duce (above right) have both been appointed as boundary umpires for the 2024 NAB AFLW Grand Final, giving NSW/ACT footy fans someone to cheer for during the big dance.
Hansford and Duce have walked a similar path to becoming AFLW/VFL umpires.
They both switched to umpiring after playing in the AFL Sydney Juniors competition – Duce for St Ives, Hansford for Glebe (his final match a premiership in U17s) – and they have both juggled the growing demands of umpiring with an otherwise regular life, fitting training around their full-time jobs.
Hansford’s started out as a field umpire in 2014 but moved to the boundary in 2018, following his older brother, Harrison, who is also an AFLW/VFL-listed boundary umpire.
Duce has always been a boundary umpire. “I’m just a big footy fan,” he said when asked about why he chose umpiring in late high school. A talented runner, the job suits his skills and temperament: “I can run around and get involved in footy and earn a bit of cash as well. It’s great.”
Rewards and challenges
Duce and Hansford said umpiring yields significant rewards and points to the memories and friendships they've created, as well as the fitness they've cultivated on the green team as some of the main reasons they enjoy umpiring.
However, umpiring at AFLW/VFL level also comes with challenges.
Like any athlete, being at the top of an umpiring game requires making time and place sacrifices to train and ply the trade.
The pressure on game day is intense and you can be found out at any moment if you lose concentration or are ill prepared.
“You mentally have to be switched on in games,” Duce said. “You have to be your best. That comes down to nutrition, training and you always have to ensure you’re in the best position on the field.
"It’s enjoyable and part of the journey but it’s a challenge and you have to be the right person to face that challenge.”
On the positive, Scott Hansford says boundary umpiring gives you “the best of everything”. As an umpire, you’re in the game, you stay fit, you are part of a team, and you get access to the kind of coaching and development you’d expect if you were a player.
Accessing elite umpires
An added benefit of umpiring in Sydney is that all umpires - regardless of their level - have access to elite umpires at training. Both the umpires are grateful to be able to train with and learn from AFL-listed umpires based in Sydney, including 2024 Toyota AFL Grand Final boundary umpires Daniel Field-Read and Michael Barlow (also All Australian in 2024).
This is unique to Sydney and presents a great opportunity for umpires like Duce and Hansford on the cusp of AFL selection as it does to someone officiating their first season. It’s a drawcard for anyone who wants to fast track their development and see what it takes to be among the best umpires in the country.
Good luck Scott and Ben!
Umpiring their first AFLW Grand Final is a massive achievement and AFL NSW/ACT wishes Scott Hansford and Ben Duce all the best on their selection.
With no NSW or ACT players represented, we look forward to cheering on the green team and riding every throw-in and out-of-bounds call with these Sydney-based umpires.