Lumyai Eager will make her TIO NTFL Men’s Premier League umpiring debut during the Tiwi Bombers vs Palmerston Magpies 2.30pm match tomorrow, Saturday 20th February at TIO Stadium.
At only 19 Lumyai became the first female field umpire to debut in the Alice Springs’ CAFL Seniors Competition during the 2020 season. She then relocated to Darwin for the TIO NTFL 2021 Season in Round 4 and has excelled since arriving.
“Umpiring in 23 games so far this season in the Women’s Premier League and Division 1 Competitions, she has evolved as a leader on and off the field.” AFLNT Umpire Development Coordinator Sam Cunningham said.
Moving from Thailand at an early age, Lumyai began her umpiring journey as a boundary umpire in Alice Springs, before she moved into field umpiring only two seasons ago and progressed through the ranks in the CAFL and is now being rewarded for her commitment, reliability, and performance since arriving in Darwin.
“It is fantastic to see the journey Lumyai has taken and she is highly deserving of her debut this weekend,” Cunningham said.
“This will hopefully lay the foundation for many more of our young and developing female talent to come through and umpire at the pinnacle of NTFL football.”
Lumyai’ s first game caps off a season of debuts for female field umpires in the Senior TIO NTFL Competitions. Only two weeks ago, 15-year-old Emma Stark debuted in the TIO NTFL Women’s Premier League after strong performances throughout the year. Siobhan Luczak also debuted in the Men’s Division 1 Competition in Round 17, giving her exposure to Senior Men’s football.
In 2020, 27% of all umpires in the Territory were female and Lumyai will hopefully be the first of many female field umpires in the TIO NTFL Men’s Premier League Competition.
Following in the footsteps of other female field umpires such as AFL umpire Eleni Glouftsis and AFLW umpire Victoria Rawlings who have previously umpired in the TIO NTFL Men’s Premier League, Lumyai’ s umpiring story is just beginning and she has a very bright future ahead.
