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Butler teen excels at Mirrabooka multicultural AFL umpiring academy

Sara FitzpatrickNorth Coast Times

UGANDA-BORN teenager Brenda Amito is kicking goals with her multicultural AFL umpiring academy.

The 14-year-old Butler local recently launched the project through the Edmund Rice Centre WA in Mirrabooka.

The group comprises 15 young people from countries such as Uganda and Sudan.

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“Umpiring is a passion of mine – I love giving everyone a fair go – and I set up the academy to help out people from diverse backgrounds who want to get into umpiring,” Brenda said.

“I like showing people they can do this, and it has given me a sense of accomplishment.”

Brenda organised a camp for the budding umpires this year where participants received Introductory Officiating certificates and learn the guidelines.

“I love AFL because it’s an inclusive sport: everyone is allowed to play and it doesn’t matter where you come from and it includes an amazing group of people,” Brenda said.

“I used to be more into actually playing the game and then about two years ago umpiring became something I wanted to do.

“My dream is to one day umpire an AFL match between my favourite teams, West Coast and Hawthorn.”

The Academy trains at the Butler Community Centre.

Brenda has umpired two games, where Edmund Rice teams played against two local clubs, and trains and plays for the Centre’s Butler Falcons Multicultural Girls AFL team and the West Perth Falcons Roger’s Cup Team.

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