Image: Spencer (Left), Charley (Right) and Louis (Middle)
In Townsville, the love of Australian rules football runs deep in the Bales household - and it’s a love shared between three brothers whose bond is strengthened every weekend on and around the oval. Charley (16), Spencer (15) and Louis (11) don’t just play the game; they officiate it too, learning side by side what football looks like from every angle.
For the past two years, all three brothers have been involved in umpiring, often running the boundary together. It’s become more than just another way to be part of footy - it’s something they share as brothers.
Charley has taken the next step, field umpiring senior women’s matches and U14 and U17 girls’ games, embracing the responsibility and leadership that comes with the whistle. Spencer has found his rhythm on the boundary, while Louis, the youngest, followed his older brothers into the role of boundary umpiring after being caught watching the game instead of keeping score.
Their umpiring journey began thanks to a family friend who encouraged a group of kids from their club to give it a go. Since then, it’s grown into a tight-knit network of young umpires - but for the Bales brothers, the best part is sharing the experience together. Whether it’s travelling to games, swapping stories after matches, or laughing about early mistakes like ball-ups that went wildly off target, every moment has added to their shared football story.
Umpiring has helped each brother grow in different ways. For Charley, field umpiring has built confidence and given him the ability to back his decisions and speak with authority. Spencer enjoys the flow of boundary umpiring, while Louis takes pride in keeping up with the game alongside his big brothers. Together, they’ve developed a deeper respect for officials - something they now take back into their roles as players.
Their parents say umpiring has strengthened the boys’ connection, keeping them active while teaching them teamwork, responsibility and respect. Most of all, it’s given them something truly their own.
“The footy talk never stops,” their mum said.
“They talk about the games they’ve played and the games they’ve umpired. It’s something they genuinely share.”
In 2026, the Bales family began a new chapter. Moving to the Sunshine Coast, the brothers have settled in well, all playing for the Maroochydore Roos in the U/17s, U/15s and U/11s. They’re loving their football and have embraced their new club with the same enthusiasm they bring to everything they do. While umpiring has taken a back seat for now as the family finds its balance, the confidence and perspective the boys gained from officiating continues to shape the way they play - and the way they carry themselves - both on and off the field.
For the Bales brothers, football isn’t just a sport - it’s a family bond. Whether they’re chasing the ball or making the calls, they’re doing it together, proving that sometimes the strongest team isn’t just on the field, but within the family itself.
AFL Queensland will be running a Family Umpiring Camp during the Term 2 school holidays. Details will be announced when available!