Spotlight
Officials in the spotlight
Adrian in the spotlight
Adrian Wareham in action at the top of screen, with his father watching on and his son and grandson in the foreground.
Adrian Wareham’s ‘legend’ status in the sport of trampoline gymnastics is recognised by Gymnastics Australia’s Hall of Fame Award. The medallist athlete has competed in 10 Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships and 50 Australian Championships. But he’s typically understated when asked about his high-flying achievements.
“It was something that I really enjoyed and something that I was pretty good at, so that led to increasing my participation. I got to the international level and ended up just… not stopping,” Adrian laughs.
As well as competing, Adrian is also a seasoned coach and judge. It’s a family affair. Adrian first stepped onto a trampoline in the backyard of his Adeliade home at the age of 7. His father, then a diving coach, bought the trampoline to keep training divers during the winter months, when the pools were closed. Now based in Melbourne, Adrian and his parents continue to encourage a love of the sport through their trampoline sports club – one of the oldest in Australia. His brother and his children have also been involved, and even a grandchild is now “doing some jumping”.
Turning 60 this year, Adrian aims to compete in at least one more national competition. He loves the sense of flying and being free in the air, along with the constant challenge of learning and perfecting new skills.
“I’ve found over the years it’s a great way to stay fit and active. Being a participant is the number one thing for me I suppose – but of course the whole sport doesn’t run if you don’t have people behind the scenes doing the judging and the coaching, so I like to help out there too.”
As well as learning valuable communication and people skills as an official, he finds that “just being involved in the community is an advantage in itself”.
Also a high school teacher with 2 degrees, Adrian has found time to coach all levels of trampoline gymnastics from beginners onwards.
“Basically, what you are trying to do is get everyone to believe they can do it. With the younger people it’s a little bit less technical and with the seniors they obviously have a goal of where they want to go and it’s about supporting them to perform their skills at a higher level.”
“The real reward is seeing the joy on people’s faces when they achieve something they thought they couldn’t or that they had trouble learning.
“Of course, everything is about being as safe as possible, which includes using overhead rigs and large throw mats while people are learning new skills.
His advice for aspiring officials is to enjoy what they are doing, ask lots of questions, keep learning and trying to improve, and be positive in all interactions.
“It’s a little bit of a juggling act, you need to be an official, but I don’t think you need to be really officious. You’ve got to be approachable and positive in all the conversations you have with people – that’s really important to make it an environment where people want to be.”
Angus in the spotlight
Angus Garder refereeing a rugby union international test match. Credit: Anthony Au-Yeung via Getty Images
Angus Gardner was 15 when he had to stop playing rugby due to an injury that revealed a hereditary back condition. Not wanting to give up the game entirely, he turned to refereeing instead.
“I was lucky that my school had a referee program. One of the teachers asked if I’d be interested in refereeing and I said I’d give it a go,” Angus recalled.
The first time he stepped onto the field as a referee, for an under 10s schoolboy match, the nerves kicked in.
“I just remember being so nervous, it was daunting, all those emotions you feel when you’re starting off and trying something new the first time – but also a real sense of excitement.”
Angus persisted and connected with other young referees who helped inspire and support him. Then Rugby Australia offered him a school student scholarship program in Year 12.
“They identified that a lot of schoolboys were taking up refereeing as a service either to the school or part of an extra curricula activity or through injury, and they saw that as an opportunity to transition young referees from school into senior rugby, which is what happened to me – so I think it was a really smart pathway that was created.”
Now, some 25 years later, Angus is a professional referee who regularly takes charge of Super Rugby and major test matches, including the Six Nations Championship. He’s known for remaining calm and respectful, balancing confidence and humility, and acknowledging if he’s made a mistake. His distinguished long-term service to the game and refereeing was recognised in 2018 when he was named World Rugby Referee of the Year.
“For me, it’s very much an act of service. It’s not about me, it’s about the teams and about the players, and about the fans who enjoy the spectacle of rugby … and part of the service is the humbleness around understanding that I’ve been given these gifts to do what I do, and I want to use them in a positive manner, so players and teams can showcase their skills and abilities.”
Refereeing has taken Angus to many different countries, providing “experiences money can’t buy”. Another major benefit is the opportunity for personal growth and development.
“The skills you learn as an official, and the way they’re tested, are so transferable to many things in life. And that huge self-development journey that you’re on, professionally and personally, is just amazing.”
Angus strives to be world-class in everything he does and has the “huge ambition” to be involved in the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. But he also enjoys giving back to the sport, sharing his knowledge and experience through school scholarship programs and mentoring aspiring officials. And he fully supports the modern approach to officiating.
“It ties into my belief around servicing the game and it being about the participants – it makes officials widen our perspective and understanding about what participants are trying to achieve and what you’re there to do as an official.”
Claire Polosak in the spotlight
Australian cricket umpire, Claire Polosak
Claire Polosak has been dubbed a trailblazer and pioneer. She has umpired cricket matches in Australia and overseas, including Test matches, One Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals. In fact, she was the first female International Cricket Council (ICC) umpire to officiate in a men’s cricket test match in the world in 2021, and the first Australian woman to stand in a first-class match, officiating the 2023 Men’s Round 5 Sheffield Shield fixture between South Australia and Western Australia at the WACA.
It’s a far cry from her teenage years in Goulburn where she had to follow cricket from a distance.
“I was too afraid to play with the boys, and I didn’t know any girls who wanted to play,” Claire said.
So when a family friend suggested an umpiring course, Claire was determined even though she hadn’t played the game, it meant travelling to Sydney one night a week for 5 weeks and sitting an exam.
“I failed the exam a number of times, but it was just something that I was really determined to do, and every time I did the assessment, I got a little bit better until finally I passed.”
From umpiring men’s club cricket in Goulburn, Claire moved to Sydney for university and started at the Premier Cricket Club competition. From there she worked her way up to become a first-class umpire and umpire educator, as well as leading the female umpire engagement program at Cricket NSW.
“If you’d have asked 16-year-old Claire if it would have been possible to be involved in so many world cups and have so many opportunities, meet so many people and learn so many things – she wouldn’t have believed it.”
For Claire, the benefits of being an official are clear.
“What I enjoy about umpiring is the camaraderie and the teamwork, and the fact that you are always learning and there is always something to improve on.”
She also values the transferable skills, “You might be an umpire and official on the weekend but the transferrable skills of communication, player management, conflict resolution, that comes into everyday life during the week.”
Claire advises aspiring umpires to get involved in as many games as possible, be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them, ask as many questions as possible, and always focus on the players.
“It doesn’t matter the level of the game that you’re involved in. That game being played on that field or that court or that arena at that particular point in time is the most important game for those players.”
She also encourages continual learning, particularly now that there are more tailored and flexible opportunities for professional development.
“I think the modern approach of having smaller learning opportunities where people can mix and match – knowing themselves and knowing where they need to develop, that’s really important. It’s not a one-size-fits-all anymore. We’re all different and we all learn in different ways, so I think this approach is really exciting to improve the development of officials.”
Deepali in the spotlight
Deepali Mistry refereeing during the Final Block of the European Open at Gyor, Hungary in 2024
Deepali Mistry has been refereeing Judo since she was a young child growing up in India.
“Every week we used to have competition on Saturday and we took turns refereeing, it was just as important as the Judo at that time,” Deepali said.
A 4th degree black belt, Deepali was the India national champion multiple times and coached the junior teams. After moving to Australia in 2001, she continued her Judo career as an athlete and official. Today, she instructs kids at the Budokan and Northern Sydney Judo Clubs, referees at all levels, and is a Judo Australia Referee Committee member. As an international referee, Deepali is aiming for the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
“Refereeing gave me a path to grow – it’s a fantastic way to be involved at all levels of sport. Being an athlete is not the only way to represent your country. Definitely, I am working towards getting to the Olympics. But to me, enjoying the journey is just as important.”
That journey starts at the community level, where Deepali continues to share her passion for Judo, making sure players of all ages and abilities have an enjoyable and safe experience.
“Our responsibility at the community level is so important. It’s like the backbone of the whole ecosystem of the sport, for any sport, because that is where you are entertaining all aspirations – for enjoyment or exercise or Olympic level competition.”
Whatever the level, Deepali likes being close to the action on the mat where she can influence and motivate players.
“To me, players are at the centre point. You have all different levels, so as a referee you have a duty to make sure everyone gets a fair chance. You need to adapt to the needs of the players, and your role becomes very important in doing that.”
For example, this ranges from being patient and understanding with nervous young players to being flexible in supporting special needs players to participate, and appreciating the responsibility at international events where decisions may impact someone’s lifetime of effort.
“There is a lot of responsibility and learning, but it is very enjoyable and there is a lot of support.”
As a referee, Deepali not only works with players. She also educates parents and coaches, and mentors new referees.
“That collective motivation of all of them matters to me.”
Attracting more than 30,000 participants across Australia, and 50 million players world-wide, Judo is a growing sport that brings together people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
“We are very fortunate in Australia we have a very accommodating community, and I give this message to everyone: the sport is for everyone, of all capabilities, for everyone to enjoy.”
Desiree in the spotlight
International gymnastics judge, Desiree Jones ready to officiate at the Porsche-Arena in Stuttgart, Germany in 2023.
For Desiree Jones, gymnastics is her “happy zone” – she is forever in awe of the skill, grace and power of gymnasts. Awarded life membership at Gymnastics WA for service to the sport in Western Australia, she’s held varied roles, including president, administrator, coach, presenter, committee member, technical director, judging coordinator and judge. She is also involved in Gymnastics Australia’s Women’s Artistic Gymnastics National Commission and is a respected international judge.
“I’ve been involved in other sports, but gymnastics is a bit unique – it does get into your blood and that passion stays there,” Desiree said.
An aspiring young gymnast, Desiree moved into coaching at 11 after realising she wouldn’t make it to top-level competition.
She also started judging at 14, reaching international level at just 23. By the mid-2000s, Desiree had to reduce her full-time coaching to accommodate university lecturing and tutoring commitments.
More recently, Desiree held leadership roles when the sport was under intense scrutiny as reviews, including by the Australian Human rights Commission and Sports Integrity Australia, led to major change.
“It really put a huge focus on child safety and, in turn, also a more athlete-centred approach. They are not just a robot you order around – they are also a child you need to develop as well as coach. There is a lot more to being a coach or an official in the sport now. A lot of things have changed.”
“For example, there is more parental involvement when athletes travel and more flexible uniform rules, allowing girls to wear full-length unitards, head coverings or bike pants.
“This helps the athletes feel more comfortable, and not leave the sport as they become a bit older and more self-conscious. Things are continuing to develop with changes in rules and in terms of inclusion across the board.”
Inclusion is a personal interest for Desiree. While travelling with athletes in the US in 2011, she was crushed by a load of suitcases as an airport shuttle bus came around a corner too quickly. This resulted in multiple injuries including neck fractures that eventually led to her needing a wheelchair.
While this has limited Desiree’s involvement due to accessibility issues in some venues, her passion for the sport has not waned. As well as judging, she enjoys mentoring and educating others to help build the pool of officials. She also encourages further change and greater inclusion.
“Gymnastics is very traditional and a lot of people find it hard to think outside the box, and I know I keep pushing the boundaries on that! I don’t think we can be fully inclusive in some ways because of the apparatus, but we can certainly do more.”
“This includes improving professional development for officials to expand their skills and confidence in working with a more diverse range of participants.
“It’s exciting that we are looking at new ways of doing things. A challenge across all sports will be how to make these changes to be more athlete-centred and fluid in terms of judging and make events a better experience for the athletes – and in turn for coaching and officiating.”
Liliana Beckett in the spotlight
Hockey umpire, Liliana Beckett
Earning money to buy cake was a bonus of umpiring on the weekends for Liliana Beckett. Just 12 at the time, she had been playing hockey since she was 5 when her father suggested trying an umpiring program. With her trademark enthusiasm, she thought, “Why not? Could be fun.”
It helped that she already knew the game and understood the rules – giving her the advantage of knowing what was likely to happen and how players might react to her calls. It didn’t take long for her to become hooked.
“Every weekend I used to come home and say ‘Mum, I’ve umpired this weekend, I’ve got money and I’ve made a new friend!’,” Liliana said.
Now 17, Liliana still enjoys regular umpiring and aspires to umpire at a national level as well as develop skills for technical official and managerial roles.
“I love telling people what to do!” she laughs. “But I really enjoy understanding the game more deeply. I enjoy the physical aspect, like having a run without having to be actually playing the sport. I enjoy the positive connections you build with players and other umpires, and tech officials and mentors.”
Liliana also appreciates the opportunity to be more involved in the community. For example, she has umpired for younger players trying out the game, players aged 35+ and under 12s schools competitions. Through this, she has learnt to adapt her style to suit the players.
“With the children it’s a lot more about developing understanding of the game and making sure the game flows and people start to learn and appreciate playing the sport. Whereas with the adults, especially as you go up the grades, it’s more competitive and more about making sure the rules are correct. So you really learn to adjust how you umpire for who you umpire.”
The bottom line is ensuring players enjoy the game, regardless of age or ability.
“Making sure everyone has a fair go, that everyone can participate is important. You have to put that into your umpiring to successfully encourage everyone to play. Developing understanding and enjoyment is a big thing, especially for me because I only play to have fun, so I want the umpires to officiate in a way that encourages having fun – so I umpire in that way as well.”
Liliana shares her knowledge with young umpires she mentors on weekends, teaching them the basics, helping them build their confidence, and develop their own umpiring style and approach to their umpiring journey.
“It’s really satisfying watching my younger umpires be moved up into 15s and 18s, and a few of them even umpiring seniors already.”
Her own self-confidence has grown with her professional development, and having a network of friends and colleagues in the sport also helps.
“It makes a difference knowing you are not out there on your own – especially being so young as well – knowing I have these people behind me and I know what I’m doing. I now have confidence that I can take into all other aspects of my life.”