L-R: Harrison Bell, Joel Clamp, James Rizio and Jordyn Pearson. Images: Josh Chadwick and Michael Willson / AFL Photos
AFL Victoria congratulates the four Victorian umpires who have been promoted to the AFL Umpire list for 2026, including field umpire Jordyn Pearson.
Pearson's promotion from the Rookie List will see her become the second woman field umpire in the history of the AFL competition, after Eleni Tee was the first woman field umpire to officiate an AFL game in 2017.
She has officiated 50 AFLW games, including the 2022 S6 AFLW Grand Final, and 58 VFL games to date.
She was also named the AFLW Umpiring Rising Star in 2024 and joined the AFLW Competition Committee in 2025 – the only umpire to be appointed to the committee.
Alongside Pearson, three other Victorians will join the 2026 AFL Umpire list, with field umpire Joel Clamp, boundary umpire Harrison Bell and goal umpire James Rizio rounding out the promotions for next year.
Pearson was honoured to be elevated to AFL level.
“I’m very proud and grateful for this opportunity. There’s been a lot of time spent working to achieve this dream, and now that it has happened, it’s unbelievable,” Pearson said.
“To be only the second woman field umpire at AFL level is pretty special, but it also shows what is possible. I hope that by stepping out onto the field, I can inspire the next generation of umpires.
“Women and girls’ representation in football have grown rapidly over the past 10 years, and AFLW has been the catalyst for the change. It’s fantastic to see more women and girls involved in the game, from players and coaches to umpires and volunteers.
“There are more and more women being promoted to state league football or AFLW every year. It is hard to be what you cannot see, so young girls can now see that it is possible to play, coach, or umpire at higher levels.”
Clamp umpired back-to-back VFL Grand Finals in 2024 and 2025, as well as back-to-back AFLW Grand Finals in 2022 S7 and 2023.
Bell made his AFL debut in Round 17 this year and went on to run the boundary for another five AFL games, as well as the VFL Grand Final.
Rizio umpired his third VFL Grand Final this year, as well as the 2022 S6 AFLW Grand Final.
All six umpires are former participants in the AFL T4 Transition Program, which is designed to fast-track state league umpires to AFL level.
Head of Officiating Stephen McBurney was excited to confirm the promotions.
"Jordyn – an AFLW Rising Star winner, AFLW Grand Final umpire, and VFL finals umpire – will join Eleni Tee as only the second woman in 130 years to field umpire at the highest level. Jordyn's elevation to the AFL list is a significant milestone in what has been a record-breaking year for women in umpiring.
"Joel has repeatedly achieved the highest honours in the VFL and AFLW competitions. Add to that an outstanding umpiring performance in the SANFL vs. VFL representative game in Gather Round, Joel has demonstrated remarkable consistency in his 118 VFL games.
“Harrison made his AFL debut as a 21-year-old this season and was impressive in his six AFL games. His father Michael umpired 217 AFL games, making them the 20th father/son combination to umpire in VFL/AFL history.
"James has been an outstanding role model for the VFL goal umpiring group, having umpired over 100 VFL games, as well as VFL and AFLW Grand Finals, and even has an International Cup Grand Final on his resume."