Holden odometer ticks over the 500 game mark

THERE'RE milestones and then there are milestones and not many get much bigger than the 500 game mark. WDCA umpire Len Holden will achieve that milestone this weekend in the A grade grand final between Wangaratta Magpies and Rovers Bruck United at the Showgrounds. And as Holden's legendary status as an official continues to grow, his performance has certainly not diminished with the veteran claiming Umpire of the Year honours in the 2024/25 WDCA awards. "I just love cricket," Holden said. "I love going to the ground, love getting involved in the game, and I love teaching the young umpires as they come through." Developing the next generation of umpires is a personal passion for Holden who said seeing his former proteges succeed at a higher level among his most satisfying experiences in the game. "We had a young fella from Benalla start his career with us and now he's travelling down to Melbourne each week to umpire in the Premier division," Holden said. "Umpiring is just such a great option for young men or women, in fact people of any age to be involved in the game, make friends and earn a bit of pocket money as well." Holden's romance with cricket began "about 34 years ago" when he suited up in the very social but equally competitive Sunday cricket competition for Glenrowan and when his playing days ended it seemed the obvious step to take up officiating to stay involved in the game. Apart from helping maintain fitness levels to get through each day, umpiring also helps with keeping your wits about you according to Lenny, to keep up with the rule changes. "You simply have got to know them all," Holden said. "The game has changed a lot since I started, and it still does from year to year, and you will get different players who try and challenge you to see if you have kept up," he said. "But if you know the rules inside and out you will be fine. "Just give it a go, you'll enjoy it. "There's always plenty of support and new umpires are always welcome."

Holden odometer ticks over the 500 game mark

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