Glenn James facts for kids

Glenn Robert James is a famous former umpire in Australian rules football. He worked in the top league, which was then called the Victorian Football League (VFL). Glenn James is special because he is the only Indigenous Australian person to have ever umpired a VFL or AFL (the modern name for the VFL) game. He even umpired two big championship games, the VFL Grand Finals in 1982 and 1984.

Early Life of Glenn James

Glenn James grew up in a large family. He was the tenth of 14 children. His father was an Indigenous Australian from the Yorta Yorta people. He worked at a food factory in Shepparton. Glenn went to Gowrie Street School in Shepparton when he was young.

In 1968, Glenn James joined the Australian Army. He spent one year serving in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He is one of only two VFL umpires who served in that war.

Football Career Highlights

Playing Football

Before he became an umpire, Glenn James played Australian rules football. He played for the Wunghnu team with his brothers. His playing career ended when he broke his jaw. After that, he decided to become an umpire instead.

Umpiring in the VFL

Glenn James started umpiring in local country football games. He then moved up to the VFL, where he umpired 166 matches between 1977 and 1985. This included the two VFL Grand Finals in 1982 and 1984. He was also chosen as the umpire for the special Indigenous Team of the Century.

During his time as an umpire, Glenn James sometimes faced unfair comments from fans because of his background. In 1978, people even looked into whether this kind of abuse was against the law.

In 1985, Glenn James was the President of the Victorian Football League Umpires Association. This shows how respected he was by his fellow umpires.

He also had a unique experience umpiring a VFL exhibition match. This game was between Richmond and Carlton at the 1982 Commonwealth Games. It was the only time Australian rules football has been shown at the Commonwealth Games.

Life After Football

Helping Umpires

After he stopped umpiring VFL games, Glenn James continued to help other umpires. In 1986, he became an advisor for umpiring careers with the Victorian Country Football League. Later, from 1994 to 1996, he worked as an Assistant Umpires Coach for the AFL.

Teaching Career

Glenn James also has a degree in education. He taught graphic arts at Box Hill Technical College for many years. Today, he works at the Worawa Aboriginal College. He is a student ambassador there, helping and supporting Aboriginal students.

Working in Media

Glenn James shares his knowledge of football through the media. He works as a commentator for AFL matches on the National Indigenous Radio Service. He is also a regular guest on The Marngrook Footy Show, a TV program on NITV.

Music Project

In 2008, Glenn James joined some other umpires to record a song. The song was called "The Man In White," which is a nickname for umpires because of their white uniforms.

Koori Court Advisor

As of 2008, Glenn James has also worked as a cultural advisor for the Koori Court in Melbourne. This court helps Indigenous people in the legal system.

Awards and Honours

• Victorian Aborigine of the Year: 1984
• Life Member of the Victorian Football League Umpires Association: 1984
• Medal of the Order of Australia: 1987