Miss-Delectable
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You blind ump? No, just deaf | Herald Sun
A LOT of footy barrackers tell the men in white they're as blind as bats. But you can't accuse Keith Marks of not having a keen eye.
He can't speak, or hear a thing, mind you. But that hasn't stopped the respected umpire for the Southern Football League from clocking up 1000 games tomorrow.
His impairment hasn't hindered the determined local footy servant handing down decisions from the sidelines since 1976.
"I've always relied on my eyes and made sure my positioning was good," Mr Marks said in written answers to questions.
"People have always embraced me and accepted the fact that I am deaf."
The gutsy 66-year-old grandfather's only aide during matches is two wooden cards, one of which is engraved with the words: "You have been reported for striking; Do you understand?"
Mr Marks said he umpired his first game at Murrumbeena 34 years ago.
"They were short of helpers so I just volunteered. I loved it so much I joined the SFL in 1981. It has given me the opportunity to integrate with the hearing community and along the way I've made some lifelong friends.
"I've also loved having a beer with the teams after the game. I stay back to socialise with the players, by way of pen and paper. It breaks down any barriers."
And not even bad-mouthed players can avoid his keen eye.
"I was a carpenter for 20 years and my co-workers used to swear and carry on, which is where I learnt how to lip read," he said.
"In my early days of umpiring, a player abused me after a decision so I reported him. He got six weeks."
The mad Tiger fan said he felt people with disabilities had plenty of opportunities in sport.
"You must have determination, resolve and a desire," he said.
Southern Football League CEO Wayne Holdsworth said Mr Marks was a credit to Australian football.
"He has proven that there are no barriers that cannot be overcome if you want to be involved in our great game."
Australian Football League Umpires' Association chief Bill Deller said it was an extraordinary achievement.
"To do 1000 games when you are 100 percent fit and have all the abilities and attributes is remarkable enough but to have done it with such disabilities is something else," Mr Deller said.
"It's not just about umpiring, it's showing people that no matter the disability, amazing outcomes can be achieved."
A LOT of footy barrackers tell the men in white they're as blind as bats. But you can't accuse Keith Marks of not having a keen eye.
He can't speak, or hear a thing, mind you. But that hasn't stopped the respected umpire for the Southern Football League from clocking up 1000 games tomorrow.
His impairment hasn't hindered the determined local footy servant handing down decisions from the sidelines since 1976.
"I've always relied on my eyes and made sure my positioning was good," Mr Marks said in written answers to questions.
"People have always embraced me and accepted the fact that I am deaf."
The gutsy 66-year-old grandfather's only aide during matches is two wooden cards, one of which is engraved with the words: "You have been reported for striking; Do you understand?"
Mr Marks said he umpired his first game at Murrumbeena 34 years ago.
"They were short of helpers so I just volunteered. I loved it so much I joined the SFL in 1981. It has given me the opportunity to integrate with the hearing community and along the way I've made some lifelong friends.
"I've also loved having a beer with the teams after the game. I stay back to socialise with the players, by way of pen and paper. It breaks down any barriers."
And not even bad-mouthed players can avoid his keen eye.
"I was a carpenter for 20 years and my co-workers used to swear and carry on, which is where I learnt how to lip read," he said.
"In my early days of umpiring, a player abused me after a decision so I reported him. He got six weeks."
The mad Tiger fan said he felt people with disabilities had plenty of opportunities in sport.
"You must have determination, resolve and a desire," he said.
Southern Football League CEO Wayne Holdsworth said Mr Marks was a credit to Australian football.
"He has proven that there are no barriers that cannot be overcome if you want to be involved in our great game."
Australian Football League Umpires' Association chief Bill Deller said it was an extraordinary achievement.
"To do 1000 games when you are 100 percent fit and have all the abilities and attributes is remarkable enough but to have done it with such disabilities is something else," Mr Deller said.
"It's not just about umpiring, it's showing people that no matter the disability, amazing outcomes can be achieved."
