Perth Voice Interactive

WITH the new footy season underway, there’s no better time to see the affectionate and at times heart-breaking tribute to over beloved game – Barracking for the Umpire.

The critically-acclaimed play revolves around Doug Williams – the greatest footballer Donnybrook has ever seen – and his devoted wife Delveen, who has stood by his side through every triumph and every head knock.

They’re preparing to return to their hometown, where Doug will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award, accompanied by their son Ben, a rising AFL star, and daughter Mena, an ambitious sports journalist.

But something’s not quite right with Doug – he starts to fumble the ball as years of brutal head knocks finally take their toll.

Barracking for the Umpire writer Andrea Gibbs experienced firsthand the hardknocks of football when her father had to stop playing because of injuries.

“My Dad, Geoff, played Aussie Rules for Donnybrook between 1967 and 1972,” Gibbs says.

“Captaining the Under 18’s at just aged 16. At age 17 he’d play Under 18’s on Saturdays and then league on Sundays. 

“Dad trained as hard as he played, which meant a lot of big knocks. 

“The safety protocols around concussions back then were virtually non-existent. Come off for a bit. Can you walk? Yep. Well, get back out there. There are things that he can’t remember about many of the games he played.”

After one big knock-out, Geoff went to the doctor and was advised to stop playing, but he carried on and wore a helmet. Unfortunately it just made him more of a target.

Following another nasty injury, his wife broke down in tears and he eventually stopped playing and became an umpire in the South West Football League in 1973.

“Mum would follow him to all his games and cheer him on. She was the only one who’d be out there barracking for the umpire!” Gibbs says.

“The violence didn’t stop just because he became an umpire though – he copped plenty from the supporters who would get in his face after the games.

“Footy does that. Stirs up a whole lot of feeling in fans. I know, I’m one of them.

“When I’m at games, the things that fly out of my mouth are just parrot squawks of what Dad says. And I love that we have that connection. Dad’s knowing so much about the game is what seeded my love for it and if I’d had the chance, I would have tried to play myself.

“It’s a beautiful complex game. And dangerous – something that can easily be forgotten if we look at it as just entertainment.”

Like most national sports, footy has transcended its humble origins to become part of the national psyche and is woven into the fabric of our everyday life.

You don’t need to be a hard-core sports fan to appreciate Barracking for the Umpire; it’s essentially a family drama that tackles the universal themes of identity, love and sacrifice.

Gibbs is a talented actor and comedian, but is probably best known for her work as an ABC Weekends presenter and co-founding Barefaced Stories, a “storytelling night” where everyday people talk candidly about their lives.

The award-winning Barracking for the Umpire has a great cast including Michael Abercromby, Pippa Grandison, Joel Jackson, Steve Le Marquand and Ebony McGuire.

It’s showing at the Subiaco Arts Centre from April 23 to May 5, before undertaking a tour of regional Australia.

“Not only is Barracking for the Umpire very funny, but it also covers important subject matter like concussion in sport, especially in football,” says Black Swan’s artistic director Kate Champion.

“I feel it will strike a chord in regional WA, as many of these communities follow the AFL. This makes it the perfect play to tour to the regions.”

For more info and tix see blackswantheatre.com.au.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK