Steven “Harvey” Wallbank reaches an amazing milestone this weekend, when he will umpire his 450th game in the AFL Sydney. Described as the “backbone” of the Sydney umpiring group, he has been a tireless contributor over the years and his level of dedication is as evident today as it was when he first began.
After finishing his playing career with Manly in the Sydney Football Association, Harvey umpired his first match in 1990 – before many of our current umpires were even born!?!
Over the years his commitment to the code has extended to volunteering his time to umpire at junior representative carnivals and wherever possible, assisting in the development of Sydney football. There would be very few people involved with AFL in Sydney that have not encountered this local icon – be it at The Reg Bartley Oval on training nights, weekends at club level or at the SCG/Olympic Stadium at Swans home games – and those who know him well also know he’s always got time for a friendly chat.
A long time Member of the NSWAFUA Committee, Harvey has chosen not to nominate in recent years in order to “… give others the opportunity”. In his time with the NSWAFUA Harvey has received numerous awards, including: the Encouragement Award in 1991, the Service Award in 1993, the Appreciation Award in 1998, the A. W. St Clair Award in 2000, the Presidents Award in 2001, and the Encouragement Award again in 2005.
Harvey was elected as a Life Member of the NSWAFUA in 2002 in recognition of his commitment and enthusiasm over his many years of dedicated service. To this day Harvey continues to volunteer for and assist the Association, acting as our Club Umpire Liaison Officer in 2008. Umpiring in Sydney would be at a loss without people like Harvey.
On behalf of everyone in the Sydney footy community, we wish Harvey all the best for both his 450th game and (if the results of this year’s beep-test results are any indication) for plenty of years to come. Congratulations!