Former EFNL Umpire James Rizio promoted to AFL List

By Ryan Long.

An exciting opportunity awaits former Eastern Football Netball League Goal Umpire, James Rizio, as he prepares for his umpiring debut at AFL level.

Last November, James Rizio was promoted from the VFL to the AFL Goal Umpires List for the 2026 season. It’s marked over a decade of hard work and persistence, including eight years of umpiring at the VFL level, to achieve the AFL promotion.

After receiving the call from the Head AFL Goal Umpiring Coach, Rizzio described the emotions he felt upon learning of his well-deserved promotion.

“There was just a lot of different emotions. I think there were happy tears, there was relief, Rizio said.

“You know, that feeling that finally you're there, excitement, just jubilation.”

In the lead-up to last year’s elevation, Rizio umpired three VFL Grand Finals, including the 2025 decider between Footscray and Southport, as well as the 2022 AFLW Grand Final at Adelaide Oval between Adelaide and Melbourne.

The signs of a chance at promotion to the AFL list have been evident across eight years at the VFL level.

“I think the VFL, whilst it's been sort of an eight-year journey, it has gone very quickly in terms of my development, to get three grand finals in under 120 games is quite rare historically.”

“The AFL coach and a few other coaches basically said, since I started back at Vic Park in 2018, they knew that I would be there one day on an AFL list. I just had to stay patient and apply myself, and yeah, now here I am.”

There has been plenty of people along the way who have assisted in Rizio in his journey to AFL level, including many during his time with the Eastern Football Netball League.

Everyone at Eastern has helped put a positive contribution into my work, whether it's been Greg Alford or David Parker, or obviously my coach back then, Gary.”

“Dave Parker was one of the first people who came up and spoke to me, at my first night of training, and I still speak to Parks quite a bit,  which is really good, and we've got a great relationship there.”

“Scott (Van Noordennen) for giving me the opportunity and recognising that I had the talent to progress through the ranks and to help me get to VFL,”

“It's good to know that everyone there has helped me get to where I am now.”

With Rizio’s elevation to the top level, the league now has three former EFNL goal umpires officiating at the AFL level.

Rizio now has his sights set on his first official game at the AFL level this year.

“I've always grown up loving footy and being involved in sport, and to be able to still be part of it and have one of the best seats in the house now is going to be very special.”

To enquire about starting your umpiring journey, view here for more information: https://www.efnl.org.au/_files/ugd/f3b417_a4d1591bc8874d479f7c98f2ebdfd4d0.pdf