Constable Rorey McNamara doing what he loves best, goal umpiring the footy.
Corowa Police Constable Rorey McNamara wears the blue of NSW Police during the week, but when work commitments permit, you’ll find him in the lime green uniform of a goal umpire on the weekends.
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Locals may have noticed the constable in the goalsticks at John Foord Oval recently, officiating in Corowa Rutherglen’s big win over Wodonga Raiders.
Constable McNamara’s goal umpiring career began at just 11-years-of-age in the Under 14s for the Howlong Football and Netball club, progressing to the seniors via the Under 17s.
At his young starting age, he considered he was too young to field umpire.
“I remember having a conversation with my grandfather, Stephen ‘Box’ Leatham, who was president of the Howlong Football Club,“ Rorey said.
“I couldn’t play football in the under 14s, so he asked me, ‘Why not have a crack in the goals Rorza?’”.
And he did.
Police Constable Rorey McNamara at work in Corowa
Rorey played Auskick football for the Howlong Spiders in Under 8s, 12s and 14s.
“That’s where it stopped. I continued goal umpiring because I loved it too much,” he said.
In 2018, the long arms of the law signalled goals, points and out-of-bounds for the national under 16’s competition where games were played up on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
The 23-year-old umpired at Metricon Stadium and The Gabba where he formed many friendships with umpires now officiating in the VFL/AFL.
He will continue working hard in the hope of being selected for the big game at the end of the year.
“Nothing quite compares to walking out onto the Walbundrie Sports Ground to umpire a Hume League Senior Grand Final,” Rorey said.
“The massive crowds get you into the game even more.
“Standing behind the goals, I get the best view of the game and being able to contribute with the integrity of the game, I get to be a part of the best sport in the world.”
