History-making Greek-Australian AFL umpire Eleni Glouftsis made all Greek Australians proud after receiving the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for her services to umpiring nationally on Australia Day.

The award comes two years after Eleni was named the 2019 South Australian Young Australian of the Year and receiving 2019 Australia Day honours in South Australia for her services to football.

“It’s very humbling to receive this award. I think these are often awards that go to people that have been around in their field for a long, long time. I’m still only quite fresh to AFL umpiring so it is very shocking and surprising but it’s very exciting,” said the 28-year-old umpire, who started her career as a whistle-blower in 2008.

Progressing through the SANFL junior ranks, the Greek Australian PE teacher who also served as sports captain at her school Adelaide High, became the first woman to be a field umpire at the senior level of that competition in its 137-year history in August 2013.

She was then placed in the AFL female pathway scholarship in 2015 and made history umpiring her first match at the elite level when Essendon and West Coast met in round nine at Etihad Stadium.

Growing up in a Greek Australian family and being the youngest of three children, Eleni, whose parents were also football umpires, says she has been blessed with continuous support and encouragement and has also learnt a thing or two about grit, determination and hard work.

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Female Umpire Eleni Gloutfsis Photo: Justine Walker/AFL

“There have been so many people to thank for their support in me being able to reach this point. The respect and encouragement I have received from my mother Dianne, my father Tom, my nanna, my friends, colleagues and all the players at every level has also been overwhelming through my whole journey,” Ms Glouftsis said, admitting in the same breath that the pathway to success hasn’t been an easy one.

“Nothing comes easy in life. I train hard every day so that I can keep my fitness levels up and keep up with the extreme demands of the game.”

One of the games which will forever be remembered by the young Greek Australian is the July 2019 game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground between Carlton and Adelaide, where Eleni’s partner, and fellow umpire Dillon Tee got down on one knee in the middle of the ground and proposed, to which she said yes.

Eleni, whose family originates from Thessaloniki, was recognised with the Medal of the Order alongside local football identities from across the country, including Alan Wickes, Peter Warner, George Voyage and Fred McMahon, Chris Halbert (South Australia) and John Corless (Queensland).
“I became an umpire because I love the sport and I do consider myself really fortunate to be able to help other young girls to see that there’s different things they can aspire to.

“Dreams do come true,” she concluded.