Sport
25 March, 2026
Fitting tribute to retiring umpire
SOUTH West Cricket umpire John Royal has retired from officiating duties.
After 25 years at the umpires’ crease, Royal officiated his final game on Saturday, March 7 – the division three semi-final.
In what was a moving tribute to the popular official, players from both the Heytesbury Storm and Cobden cricket clubs formed a guard of honour and ‘clapped off’ the retiring official.
“On behalf of the south west umpires, many thanks to captains Jason Kordupel and Peter Merrett for organising a guard of honour for John as he left the field,” umpires association secretary/treasurer Graeme Fisher said.
“It was very special for John and a much-appreciated gesture. Sometimes acts of kindness pass without comment but this was a very special moment in South West Cricket for someone who has contributed so much to the sport at all levels in our community.”
As well as umpiring for 25 years, Royal also held the position of president of the South West Umpires Association for 10 years.
He managed two Melbourne Country Weeks as well as the South West Colts at Warrnambool Country Week for close to a decade.
He served as vice-president of SWCA from 1997-2006 and was awarded life membership in 2010.
In 2017 Royal was presented with a life member of the Vic Country Veterans’ Cricket Club for his outstanding service to the club as an umpire.