Across Australia, football is often described as more than just a game; it\u2019s a community. For the Bament family, that sense of connection has come to life through umpiring, a shared journey built on growth, support, and belonging that now extends well beyond the Northern Territory and into Queensland pathways.<\/p>\n
What began with a single Under 10s match in 2017 has grown into something much bigger. Eldest son Samson Bament first took up umpiring at just 12 years old, quickly earning respect for his calm approach and mature game management. Watching from the sidelines, his father John saw something special, not just in Samson\u2019s performance, but in the role umpiring could play.<\/p>\n
Two years later, John picked up the whistle himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a first-year umpire, I remember having to wear the orange socks,\u201d said John.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSamson was only 14 at the time and he was the senior umpire on that match, guiding me through it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“It was humbling and pretty special.\u201d<\/p>\n
From that moment, umpiring became a shared family experience. Training sessions turned into family routines, post-game reviews became dinner-table discussions, and improvement became something they pursued together. It wasn\u2019t just about officiating, it was about connection.<\/p>\n
Younger brother Cooper joined the journey in 2020. Like many young people, his initial motivation was simple: earning some extra money. But it didn\u2019t take long for him to recognise the deeper benefits.<\/p>\n
\u201cUmpiring teaches skills you don\u2019t realise you need until later in life,\u201d Cooper said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThings like communication, confidence in decision-making, and working with others – those are skills that stay with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
With guidance from both his father and older brother, Cooper quickly developed, progressing through local matches into broader opportunities including officiating across multiple states.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His journey has since included travel and development experiences in places like Cairns, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast highlighting the strong pathways available through football in Queensland and beyond.<\/p>\n
For John, one of the most rewarding aspects has been seeing how umpiring shaped his sons not just as officials, but as players and people.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gave the boys a better understanding of the rules and respect for umpires,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey became smarter players and better people on both sides of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
That perspective has driven John to encourage more families to get involved in umpiring especially through entry-level initiatives like the First Bounce program, which is also active in Queensland.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen kids see adults learning something new, making mistakes and improving, it sends a powerful message,\u201d John explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt shows them that learning never stops and that it\u2019s okay to be vulnerable.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bament family also sees umpiring as a powerful pathway for those who may not play but still want to stay connected to footy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you want to belong, umpiring is a fantastic way to do that,\u201d John said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt connects people, puts you right in the heart of the game, and builds confidence quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today, Cooper continues to progress through development pathways, including opportunities linked to Queensland competitions, while Samson remains a steady presence within umpiring circles.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No matter where the journey takes them, the values that started it all; support, learning, and connection remain at the core.<\/p>\n
Their story isn\u2019t just about advancement or high-level appointments. It\u2019s about what happens when families commit to something together, grow through shared challenges, and strengthen the game from the inside out.<\/p>\n
In Queensland, where participation continues to grow and community football thrives, the Bament family\u2019s journey is a powerful reminder: sometimes the whistle doesn\u2019t just control the game\u2014it brings people together.<\/p>\n
Read more about Cooper’s story here<\/a><\/p>\n Every umpire has a story \u2014 if you\u2019ve got one to share, submit it through our Stories from the Field form<\/a><\/p>\n AFL Queensland will be running a Family Umpiring Camp on the Saturday the 11th of July at the Wynnum Vikings!<\/p>\n