chelsea roffey says...

Chelsea Roffey is paving her way in two quite distinct careers. Working both as a writer and presenter for online content producer Media Giants - including being one of the faces of the new Citysearch video channel - Chelsea also works behind the big sticks as a goal umpire in the AFL. Kluster’s Andy Ryan tossed up the grass, pulled up the socks and drop punted a few questions for Chelsea to give us the score.

Andy Ryan: What first got you interested and involved in Aussie Rules?

Chelsea Roffey: I was born in South Australia, so even though I grew up mostly in Queensland, my family was always into Aussie Rules. My dad played in his youth and I was always around matches as my two younger brothers also played. I loved joining dad and the boys for a bit of kick-to-kick at the park or in the backyard. I went to matches at the Gabba to watch the Lions and developed a love for the game.

AR: Tell us a bit about the pathway you've travelled; from first taking up umpiring to where you are today. Has there been a particular highlight?

CR: In my final year of high school in 1998 I had the chance to do some goal umpiring for the guys at school. I saw it as a great opportunity to be involved with footy. I only did a few matches at school, but joined the local umpires’ association the following year and continued umpiring as a part time job while studying at uni. I worked my way up from under-18s and the lower league divisions, to senior state league level. During my sixth year of umpiring, one of the AFL goal umpires retired, opening up a spot on the list (four contracts were available in QLD). The umpiring boss in Melbourne came up to observe me in a match and decided I was at an appropriate standard to be offered a contract.

A highlight was definitely getting the phone call from Jeff Gieschen offering me an AFL contract. I was ecstatic. I remember receiving my AFL tracksuit and wearing it around the house for a week.

 

AR: Has being one of the first female umpires to reach AFL level been a major issue for you?  Do you see yourself as a role model and pioneer for women's involvement in the game; and does this sit comfortably with you?

CR: Being the only female on the list, and the second to progress to AFL level, has certainly had its challenges. Primarily, the pressure has existed from within my own mind to prove my ability. The fact I am recognisable due to my gender has perhaps added more pressure to the role; the commentators on TV and radio tend to use my name when referring to decisions, and the cheer squads behind the goals are always trying to engage me in conversation.

At times I’m also tagged with being a bit of a ‘cheerleader’ for women. While I like to advocate for women’s involvement in sport generally, and AFL, I’m certainly not a bra-burner or anything like that! In my view, women are just as capable as performing many roles as men. If you are performing a task to the required standard, gender should be irrelevant. So from that point of view, if I am demonstrating to girls and young women that there is a pathway for them, that’s a positive thing. But I am big on ensuring your actions do the talking. Opportunities should be based on ability and desire; it’s not about giving someone a ‘leg up’ because of their gender.

AR: What are your thoughts on Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett’s recent statements of his desire to have his club to be the first to field a woman in their side?

CR: I thought Jeff’s statements were interesting. I find it difficult to imagine that a woman would or should play AFL alongside men. From a purely physical point of view, it could be downright dangerous! The women’s leagues around Australia are constantly evolving and there are many talented female players showcasing their skills. Perhaps it would make more sense to support and develop existing competitions and enhance opportunities for women through these avenues.

AR: Do you think the attention to the game you are bringing as a woman is a much more positive enticement than back in the era when the only ladies you’d see were The Swanettes and The Bluebirds?

CR: I can remember going to watch the Lions play at the Gabba and feeling absolute disdain when the ‘Spamette’ cheerleaders (Spam was a promoter) used to be part of the pre-match entertainment. But, hey – I’m sure there are many spectators who would disagree and love seeing supple young dancers out there as part of the footy! There are women involved in all aspects of footy now, not just as cheerleaders or tuckshop ladies. I think that’s a great thing.

AR: Similarly to our work here at Kluster you are also involved in the exposure and promotion of cultural and creative pursuits, having recently become the star of Citysearch's video channels. How did that come about?

CR: I work for Media Giants, a company in Melbourne that is contracted to do work for a variety of websites. The largest is the AFL website and associated club sites. They also produce video content for Citysearch, so I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in that as well as game development reporting for the AFL site. The cultural aspect of Citysearch is a lot of fun and a chance for some variety, after spending so much time around footy.

AR: Do you enjoy being in front of the camera for your media work? Have you had any memorable interview moments?

CR: I love the creativity and spontaneity of producing videos. I’m a bit of a show pony, so I get to muck around in front of camera a fair bit. One of the memorable interviews was chatting to Seal for his tour to Australia. I got pretty nervous about talking to such a mega-star.
I got accosted by Pete Hellier’s alter-ego, Bryan “Strauchanie” Strauchan while interviewing players for the Hall of Fame match for afl.com. The vision made it onto Channel Ten’s Before the Game, which was a little funny but a little embarrassing. Fortunately, no one made the connection that I was the goal umpire.

AR: Has your profile and experience in the sporting world helped you in other aspects of the media?

CR: Media experience from umpiring-related interviews has definitely aided my own work in media. I’ve done quite a few interviews for print and broadcast mediums, including TV appearances. Those experiences have helped me feel more at home in front of the camera for my journalism work. I have also been involved in addressing groups of people for sports nights and functions, which again helps with feeling comfortable in the public eye.

AR: Do you have any creative outlets/inclinations of your own you pursue?

CR: I studied music at the Queensland Conservatorium when I left school, so I enjoy playing a bit of clarinet when I get the chance. I’d like to get into it a bit more in the off-season.

AR: In Australia it almost seems that sport and culture are mutually exclusive pursuits. How do you find having a working life that straddles both realms?

CR: I think I would go insane if I didn’t have creative outlets! I’ve always been involved in sport and music. I truly believe variety is the spice of life, and being involved in different activities helps me feel balanced.

AR: I think that most top-level sportspeople consider themselves, or secretly wish they were, rock stars. Have you found many similarities and differences when dealing with footy players and musicians/artists?

CR: Haha! Are you referring to ego, by any chance? I think any group of people - whether they be rock stars, sports stars, politicians, artists - comprise characters with varying personality traits. People at the top of their game tend to be very driven, focussed and have an inherent sense of self-belief. So “stars” can come across as being very confident and self-assured, because they know their craft and they are media-savvy. But there are also stars who are more insular by nature. Sometimes people are much more accessible than they appear. Others are surprisingly uncomfortable with being interviewed.

AR: Do you think the arts and cultural pursuits receive enough exposure within Australia?

CR: Coming from a place like Brisbane, to live in Melbourne, has exposed me to a broader range of cultural activities. But as someone who once aimed to make a living from music, I certainly feel that sport receives a great deal of support and exposure in Australia, compared with cultural pursuits. I think creativity and the arts should be encouraged, supported and celebrated as much as sport.

afl, chelsea roffey