Glenn James facts for kids

Glenn Robert James is a famous former umpire in Australian rules football. He was a field umpire in the Victorian Football League (VFL). This league is now known as the AFL.

Glenn James made history by umpiring two major VFL Grand Finals. These were in 1982 and 1984. He is also very special because he is the only Indigenous Australian person to ever umpire at the highest level of Australian rules football.

Early Life and Service

Glenn James was born into 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 school in Shepparton.

In 1968, Glenn was chosen to join the Australian Army. He spent a year serving in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He is one of only two VFL umpires who served in that war.

Football Journey

Glenn James loved football. He played the game before he became an umpire.

Playing Football

Glenn played for the Wunghnu team. He played alongside his brothers in the Picola & District Football League. His playing career ended when he broke his jaw. After that, he decided to become an umpire.

Becoming an Umpire

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

Being an umpire was not always easy for Glenn. Sometimes, people in the crowd would say mean things to him because he was Indigenous. Despite these challenges, he continued to do his job well.

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

Glenn also umpired a special VFL exhibition match. This game was between Richmond and Carlton. It happened at the 1982 Commonwealth Games. This was the only time Australian rules football has been shown at either the Commonwealth or Olympic Games.

Life After Umpiring

After he stopped umpiring VFL games, Glenn continued to be involved in football and other important work.

Helping Umpires

In 1986, Glenn became an advisor for umpires. He helped new umpires in the Victorian Country Football League. Later, from 1994 to 1996, he worked as an Assistant Umpires Coach for the AFL.

Teaching and Education

Glenn also has a university 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. He helps support Indigenous students with their education.

Media Work

Glenn shares his knowledge of football through the media. He talks about AFL matches for the National Indigenous Radio Service. He is also a regular guest on The Marngrook Footy Show on NITV.

Community Work

Since 2008, Glenn has worked for the Koori Court in Melbourne. He acts as a cultural advisor. This means he helps the court understand Indigenous culture.

Awards and Recognition

Glenn James has received several important awards for his achievements:

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