Launceston's Mitch Le Fevre has never forgotten where he's come from.
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As he prepares to boundary umpire his 300th AFL match on Friday night between Melbourne and Essendon at the MCG, he reflected on where it all started.
"All the opportunities I've had wouldn't have occurred without the support of the NTFUA and for that I'm still incredibly grateful," he said.
The milestone man recalled how he first got involved in officiating.
"I was probably 13 and it was my (Mowbray) cricket coach at the time, Chris Fox, who was involved with umpiring and he got a few of us to come along and have a go at boundary umpiring," he said.
Le Fevre said he didn't take it too seriously at the start but he'd go on to officiate numerous leagues including the NTFL, NTFA and state league.
While he cherishes the 300-game milestone, he was eager to encourage others to take up umpiring.
"Nationally, I think there's a huge shortage of umpires," he said.
"For someone who likes their footy a little bit, who doesn't mind a bit of running and likes watching footy and wants to earn some cash - it's a good way.
"Even if it is someone who is playing football, if they umpire on the other day to when they potentially play of a weekend."
Le Fevre spoke of what umpiring had given him across the years.
"I've been fortunate enough right through my career to meet wonderful people," he said.
"And be presented with incredible experiences and opportunities. Anyone looking for something like that, I'd encourage them to do it.
"There's a lot of work being done from the AFL down - trying to support people to get into umpiring.
"It's around (reducing) abuse and things like that to try and encourage people to get involved more."
Le Fevre, who debuted in 2008, said it was great to reach the milestone.
"It's not necessarily something which I've set my sights on, getting to a particular number of games," he said.
"In time, it'll be something I reflect on and can be proud of. I know family and friends are very supportive and proud of me getting there."
Highlights of his career have included umpiring the 2017 grand final between Richmond and Adelaide and ANZAC Day games.
He also umpired a 2017 encounter in Shanghai between Port Adelaide and the Gold Coast.
The boundary umpire said 2020 was the most unusual year of his career because it was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
"I was able to thankfully get into Perth and do three weeks in a quarantine hub but still umpire games within that time," he said.
"And then from there transitioned over to the Gold Coast for another six weeks.
"It was strange and we were living in each other's pockets a bit.
"But I was very fortunate compared to everyone back in Victoria who was in lockdown that I was able to get away and have some sort of freedom."
Le Fevre has umpired many AFL matches in Tasmania across the years, including the Hillcrest Tribute match in Devonport earlier this month.
"I was fortunate enough to do that game," he said.
"Obviously there was added meaning, it was more than just a pre-season game for the community of Devonport, given the tragic circumstances they went through."
His parents Maureen and Paul are making the trip over to the 'G to watch the game. He'll also have his partner, his sister and other family and friends cheering him on.
Le Fevre urged those interested in taking up umpiring to contact NTFUA coach Andy Gower on 0428 819 677.
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