Paul Anderson Memorial Shield

The Paul Anderson Memorial Shield is an award formed in honour of former VFL Boundary umpire and VFUA Member Paul Anderson, who tragically passed away in 2001 after a brave battle with cancer. The shield is awarded to the squad who wins the annual ‘Mini Olympics’ which is currently held on the last night of training for the season.

Each year the VFUA, together with its members, raise money on the night of the Mini Olympics competition for The Cancer Council.

 

About the Mini Olympics

The Mini Olympics is a night where umpires can celebrate the end of the year’s tough training sessions and have a laugh on the track. All umpiring disciplines are in attendance on the evening, and Track Representatives are instrumental in coordinating signups from their squads for participate in events such as:

• 4x200m Relay
• Hacky Sack
• Quoits
• Goal Kicking
• Bouncing Competition
• Boundary Throw-In Competition
• Soccer Matches

All teams participate in these events, and the best scoring team wins the Paul Anderson Memorial Shield. We are fortunate and privileged to have the ongoing support of the Anderson Family, who are in attendance on the night to present the winning team with the shield. The VFUA partners with the State League & Talent Pathways Umpiring Department to provide a sausage sizzle for all participants.

 

Previous Winners

2001 – AFL Boundary Umpires

2002 – AFL Boundary Umpires

2003 – AFL Boundary Umpires

2004 – VFL Development Field Umpires

2005 – VFL Development Boundary Umpires

2006 – VFL Development Field Umpires

2007 – VFL Senior Field Umpires

2008 – VFL Goal Umpires

2009 – VFL Senior Field Umpires

2010 – VFL Senior Field Umpires

2011 – VFL Senior Field Umpires

2012 – VFL Goal Umpires

2013 – VFL Development Field Umpires

2014 – VFL Senior Field Umpires

2015 – VFL Development Boundary Umpires

2016 – VFL Senior Boundary Umpires

2017 – VFL Senior Field Umpires

2018 – VFL Senior Field Umpires

2019 – VFL Development Boundary Umpires

2020 (Virtual) – VFL Senior Development / Development Boundary Umpires

2021 – No competition

2021 – VFL Development Boundary Umpires

2022 – VFL Development Boundary Umpires

2023 – VFL Development Boundary Umpires

2024 – VFL Senior Field Umpires

2025 – VFL Senior Field Umpires

 

Paul Anderson
1973-2001

Paul Anderson’s strength and determination meant he faced life’s hurdles with tremendous courage.

His first major setback was in 1987 when the young sportsman was involved in a serious car accident that left him in a coma for a week. At the time, doctors called his survival a miracle, saying only his physical fitness and mental strength pulled him through. He showed the same courage and determination when diagnosed with cancer, leaving no stone unturned in his quest to conquer the disease. A great believer in natural therapies, he even travelled to Mexico for advanced natural therapy with the support of family and friends.

Born in Essendon to Ray and Denise Anderson he was a competitive sportsman from the beginning. His twin sister, Sally, remembered having to carry his bag to school as Paul picked up stones to practice his bowling or lined up power poles to kick his football through. Even in primary school, Paul would aim to win whenever he went out to play. In Grade 6, the talented runner won a bronze medal in the state primary school cross-country.

While he was at first reluctant to join Little Athletics, he became hooked after visiting the Royal Ascot Club at Essendon. Even after his accident, Paul was back competing quickly and went on to take part in both amateur and professional events, including the Stawell Gift. He was nominated by his Little Athletics club for the Sir Thomas Lipton Award that recognises great courage and achievement against all odds.

On the same day he was presented with the award, Paul came third in an under-15 1500m event, his first individual state medal.

A keen footballer, Paul played for Ascot Vale Football Club before moving to the Maribyrnong Park Football Club. Though he attended Niddrie Technical School, he swore it was a waste of time because he was going to play football for Essendon. Football was his great love, and he had all the statistics, dates and figures at his fingertips.

After a short stint umpiring at the Essendon District Football League in 1994, Paul was invited to try out with the VFL. With a sound running ability, he was successful and joined the VFL development squad. Unfortunately, he fell ill with chronic fatigue syndrome early in his first season with the league. He saw the disease as a challenge and endured it with the strength of a marathon runner. Despite constant bouts of exhaustion, he continued to umpire for six years, taking the field for more than 115 games, including 41 senior VFL matches and six AFL reserve games.

He was extremely proud to be chosen as a boundary umpire for the 1997 VFL Reserves Grand Final at Port Melbourne.

Paul’s love of sport and desire to keep fit spilled into his career. When he left school, he began a plumbing apprenticeship but gave it up to do a fitness instruction course with Vic Fit. Having been a member of the Ascot Vale Swimming Club, Paul took on the role of lifeguard at various public swimming pools and later did a massage course that led to him setting up his own rooms. He also began a course at the Melbourne College of Natural Medicine.

Paul lost his battle with cancer in 2001 and is survived by Ray, Denise and Sally.