Ballarat Football Umpires Association (BFUA) Celebrates Debut of Two Female Umpires in BFNL Senior Competition

Aug 16, 2023

The Ballarat Football Umpires Association (BFUA) is proud to announce and celebrate a significant achievement as two promising female field umpires, Ally Steenhuis and Kate Tomkins, make their debut in the Ballarat Football Netball League (BFNL) senior competition.

This marks another milestone for women's participation in the football community and is a testament to the ongoing efforts in promoting inclusivity and diversity within umpiring.

Ally Steenhuis, who began her umpiring journey as a boundary umpire in 2021, has rapidly transitioned into field umpiring and impressed widely for her composure, skill and professionalism. Earlier this year, she made her debut in the Central Highlands Football League and has comfortably handled the rigors of senior football. When asked about her aspirations, Ally expressed her eagerness to progress further in her umpiring career while also remaining devoted to community football and personal fitness.

Kate Tomkins, another promising umpire, commenced her umpiring career in 2015 in the Western Border Football League as a boundary umpire. With four years of experience as a field umpire in various leagues, including senior football in the Western Border League, Central Highlands Football League, and Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League, Kate's dedication shines through. Her involvement in umpiring was influenced by her family's umpiring legacy, and she values the fitness and rewards that come with the role.

Ally and Kate's debut in the BFNL senior games brings excitement and pride not only to them but also to the entire umpiring community. Kate, in particular, expresses her enthusiasm for being a trailblazer and contributing to the advancement of women's involvement in football umpiring this level.

Billy Mitchell, the BFUA's Head of Umpiring Operations, commended both Ally and Kate on their promotion and praised their consistent efforts and continuous improvement throughout the season. He stated, "Kate and Ally's promotion to BFNL senior football is a well-deserved recognition of their hard work and dedication. They have received tremendous feedback from umpire coaches, fellow umpires, and football clubs across the leagues, which speaks to their qualities as umpires and young women. We wish them the best for the weekend ahead, and know they will do a fantastic job.”

As Ally and Kate take to the field for their BFNL senior debuts, the BFUA supports them and looks forward to witnessing their bright futures in football umpiring.

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Launching the Women & Girls Umpire Experience Hub in Ballarat

04 Mar, 2024

Connecting, Learning, and Growing Together Seven Experience Hubs are set to open across Victoria this year, offering umpires a valuable opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired. The inaugural session of the Women & Girls Umpire Experience Hub will take place at City Oval Ballarat on Monday, March 18th from 6pm-8pm.

Ally Steenhuis Joins BFUA Board

12 Feb, 2024

The Ballarat Football Umpires Association (BFUA) is excited to welcome Ally Steenhuis to its board, marking a positive step as it seeks to increase female representation in its leadership. Ally's journey into umpiring began in 2020, where she found herself warmly welcomed into a supportive community despite lacking prior experience in football. Starting as a boundary umpire, Ally dedicated three seasons before venturing into field umpiring in 2023. Her hard work paid off with senior appointments in both the Central Highlands Football League (CHFL) and the Ballarat Football League (BFL), showcasing her talent and dedication. As part of Ally’s board portfolio, she has been appointed as the BFUA Women and Girls Umpiring Liaison, a role that connects her to AFL Victoria and other female counterparts across the state. In this position, she will focus on fostering inclusivity within the association, building relationships and supporting the BFUA to increase women and girls in its ranks. BFUA Chair Deb Sleep said Ally’s appointment was a testament to her professionalism and passion for umpiring, and in particular, her leadership in creating a welcoming environment for women and girls in the BFUA. “Ally is a welcome addition to the board, and we know she will represent both young people and women and girls with enthusiasm and compassion” Sleep said. During the offseason, Ally enjoys spending time with loved ones and indulging in her passion for cricket. Her diverse interests and commitment to community engagement make her a valuable addition to the BFUA board. Ally Steenhuis's appointment signifies a step forward for diversity and community engagement within the umpiring community. We look forward to her contributions and wish her all the best in this new role!