Meet Our Boat Race Officials!

Published Fri 02 Dec 2022

Boat Race Official New Chair of Rowing Australia's Umpires Commission.

Grant Ford has officiated in all areas of umpiring including schools, masters, and club regattas. He was also on the umpire panel for the Australian masters in March 2021. Grant has mentored many officials to their level 1 and 2 certification.

He is the umpire delegate on the Rowing WA Regatta Committee and is on the Umpire panel for Rowing Australia. Grant has also been honoured with his recent appointment as the Chair of Rowing Australia’s Umpires Commission.

His commitment to rowing is shown through umpiring at regattas all season. Grant officiated at 18 regattas in 2022, in a number of roles from Starter Umpire, Head Judge and President of the Jury.

He is always willing to jump into whatever role he is needed for. His compassion and understanding of school aged children makes him a fantastic umpire for our PSA/IGSSA and All Schools regattas. Grant's calm and directive manner on the water is a fantastic asset for the rowing community.

Grant has been the lead in running our annual Umpire Seminar – presenting and mentoring all of Western Australia’s current umpires. He is also currently mentoring two of our Level 2 Umpires to gain their Level 3 certification.

Grant, with Rowing WA are setting up a mentoring program for all umpires and we look forward to seeing the planning of this program come into fruition in 2023.

BRO Questions & Fun Facts


Why did you get involved with officiating?

  • As my competitive rowing career came to a close, I was keen to remain involved and give back to the rowing community.

Do you have any long-term goals in officiating?

  • Yes, I am looking to become more involved in the administrative side of officiating.

What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen out on the water?

  • As a coach, coming across a guy holding his clothes above his head as he tried to swim from Bicton across to Mosman Park. As an official – a schoolgirl cox sitting backwards in a racing VIII.

What’s your favourite food at a regatta?

  • Slim pickings on any day – probably the perennial bacon and egg burger. Seldom rated more than 5/10.

What superpower do you wish you had?

  • To be able to know on Monday what the stock market will do on Tuesday.

A secret talent?

  • I am quite good at logistics.

Your favourite book?

  • HMS Ulysses by Alistair MacLean.

Your first car?

  • An XB Falcon 500.

Your hometown?

  • Perth.

Your most prized possession?

  • My family.

Your travel bucket list?

  • Visit the USA, river cruise in Europe, see more of Italy etc, etc.

Why would you encourage others to get involved in officiating?

  • Because it is worthwhile and important.

 


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