Katelin’s time to shine in Hostplus SANFL League

By ZAC MILBANK 

Emerging field umpire Katelin Bayre is set to continue her rapid rise in becoming just the second female to officiate a Hostplus SANFL League match on Saturday. 

Set to join experienced duo Corey Bowen and Aaron Bennett for the Sturt v South Adelaide contest at Thomas Farms Oval, Bayre will follow the same path as South Australian trail-blazer Eleni Tee (nee Glouftsis), who was the first female to officiate a State League match in 2013.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 23-year-old said she was honoured to join AFL field umpire Tee, who is one of her coaches alongside Leigh Haussen.

Starting her journey by completing SANFL’s Basic Umpiring Course in 2018 so she didn’t have to earn pocket money at a fast food restaurant, Bayre began blowing the whistle in the SANFL Juniors competition.

By 2020, she had joined SANFL ranks, progressing to umpire 38 Hostplus SANFLW League games, including the 2024 Grand Final between South Adelaide and Norwood.

Bayre, who works at the League as its Junior Umpiring and Pathways Officer, was added to the AFLW field umpiring squad in 2023, making her debut in Round 3 of 2024 with her other SANFL coach, Haussen.

”I would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of Jason Brown, both as my coach and in his role as State League and Pathways Manager,” said Bayre.

”As well as the invaluable support of my family—Rebecca Bayre, Gavin Bayre, and Max Bayre—who have all played a big part in helping me become the umpire I am today.”