One of our much-loved past umpires and Life Member of the NSWAFUA, Tony St. Clair recently passed away at the age of 66.
Tony umpired in the Sydney AFL competition from 1984 to 1989 and he influenced many umpires in a relatively short period of time. Life Membership was awarded to Tony by the NSWAFU Association in 1988. He took on the Vice President role in 1985, President role in 1986 and the Umpires’ Advisor Role in 1987 and 1988.
Tony umpired 78 games in Sydney that included 47 Premier Division games. He played a pivotal role in umpiring during the Swans transition into the Sydney market and the development of umpiring in a voluntary capacity until the AFL employed David Levens in 1989 as the NSW State Director of Umpiring.
In honour of Tony’s contributions, the NSWAFUA established the A. W. St Clair Award for the Best All Rounder in 1989.
Recently retired NSWAFUA Life Member Frank Kalayzich, who did his first senior grand final under Tony’s guidance, described him as “a bigger than life character who fostered and encouraged many junior umpires into the senior ranks.“
In the first Round of the 2016 AFL Sydney competition, in all grades, umpires will wear black armbands out of respect for A.W. St Clair.