After umpiring a Victorian Netball League game on Wednesday, Ballarat’s Jordan O’Keefe became the third.

But the achievement has not come without hard work.

O’Keefe, who started umpiring at 15, has been part of the VNL umpiring squad for about six years and involved in the high performance pathway for two years.

A-grade badges, which are only awarded to those involved at VNL level, has been a long-term goal for O’Keefe.

“Like the regional-based players who have to be committed to travel to play VNL, it’s the same for umpires from regional areas,” O’Keefe said. “We put the same work and commitment in.”

But despite the effort, the reward was still a surprise. 

“They are really hard to get,” O’Keefe said. 

“It opens the door to eventually being looked at to be able to umpire under-aged national championships or the Australian Netball League, which Victoria Fury play in, and then hopefully looking at one day going for an AA badge.”

Already O’Keefe has been offered a spot as reserve umpire with the ANL, but would like to be considered for the competition next season.

But he is grateful for the help and opportunities he has received along the way.

“I was really pushed by my mentors, so I’m glad I listened to them,” O’Keefe said.

“I’ve been really fortunate this year to be part of the Melbourne Vixens training program each Friday. I umpire through their drills, their structures and their game play and I think that has probably helped me improve over the VNL season as well.”

The Learmonth A-grade coach in the Central Highlands Netball League also believes his time as an umpire has helped him coach. 

“It also makes the players I coach far better players,” O’Keefe said. “In terms of the basic knowledge of the rules and discipline, I really drill discipline into the players and I think that is reflected in the way that they play.”

O’Keefe is involved in Ballarat’s own umpiring pathway and is more than happy to offer help or advice.

He praised Netball Victoria for having great opportunities for emerging talent. 

“I’m very approachable and always willing to hear any queries anyone has about the game and help out where I can,” O’Keefe said.