BAROSSA, Light & Gawler football umpire Adam Colbourne will adjudicate his 300th match this weekend, more than a decade since donning the whites and whistle for the first time.
The umpiring veteran took up officiating 15 years ago, but said he never intended to go that long.
“I’m happy to get this far, because it was something I was only going to do for four or five years,” Colbourne said.
“I just enjoy it so much; I enjoy the people I umpire with, and I still enjoy being involved with the game.”
Colbourne has umpired nine A-grade grand finals, two B-grade deciders and one under 17s big dance throughout the years, however one of his most cherished memories was when he officiated alongside his son, Josh.
“That, the grand finals I’ve done, and the association games have been the highlights,” he said.
As he prepares to run out for his 300th game, Colbourne reflected on how he first got into umpiring.
“I knew Jim Goode through work when I first left school,” he said.
“I didn’t see him for years and I was watching one of my step-sons playing, and Jim was there.
“I came up to him after and asked how do I get involved, and he said to come out to Greenock on Wednesday night and have a run at training.”
After his lengthy time involved in the game, Colbourne couldn’t speak higher of the BL&G’s past and present crop of umpires.
“Our football is pretty good (standard) and some of the blokes that you get to umpire with, I enjoy their company both socially and on the field,” he said.
“Mateship to me has been pretty strong through umpiring.”
The location of Colbourne’s 300th game will be decided following the umpires’ training session this evening.