Umpire’s goal-den call

Rain, hail or shine, Jason Crowe can be seen between the big sticks at a South West Football League game every weekend during the season.

Jason has been a goal umpire for 23 years and has waved the flags in 1265 games.

His expertise has seen him officiate in the WAFL, 14 Landmark Country Football Championship grand finals and eight State Country games.

And at the weekend he officiated in his 350th SWFL league game when Augusta-Margaret River hosted the Collie Eagles at Gloucester Park.

The 46-year-old said he became an umpire in 1994 to do a better job than those he was watching.

“I put my money where my mouth is,” Jason said.

“I rang the league on a Thursday and said I wanted to umpire.

“By the Sunday I made my debut in Busselton when the Magpies played Carey Park.

“I umpired in the reserves and league games.

“I then did two colts finals in my first year.”

In 1995 Jason umpired his first SWFL grand final and did not miss one until 2001, when he relocated to Geraldton due to work (where he officiated in seven Great Northern Football League grand finals).

Jason returned to the South West in 2010 and is yet to miss a grand final since.

During this time Jason also made his way to the WAFL, where he officiated in 100 matches.

Jason said the highlights of his career was the 2012 drawn grand final between Busselton and the Collie Eagles, his first grand final in 1995 and umpiring on Adelaide Oval last year.

He is also known nationwide for his ability on the microphone, calling various speedway sedan events which has included more than 100 State and National championships.

Jason began working in the industry as a 12-year-old while writing stories on the Collie Speedway.

“I had to sit up in the commentators’ box because it had the best view,” he said.

“One day my uncle, who was commentating, had to leave and gave me the microphone.

“I have been commentating ever since.”

Jason is now Speedway Sedan Australia’s national media manager, looks after their website, and calls most State titles races.