Record-breaking teenager Emma Stark had a huge life decision to make. But now it seems both her life goals are achievable in what could be a first for Aussie Rules.
After becoming the youngest person to umpire an elite AFL match, the Darwin student has hit a fork in the road.
"I understand it's going to be tricky one day and I may have to choose which path I take — playing or umpiring — but I'm happy to go with the flow at the moment. I don't actually have a favourite," the 16-year-old said after umpiring the Round 1 AFLW fixture between Essendon and Hawthorn.
But the Top End teen — who is also one of the Northern Territory's best AFLW draft prospects for 2024 — may never have to make that call.
AFL umpiring general manager Lisa Lawry told ABC Radio Darwin the league is open to facilitating a dual career made possible by different AFL and AFLW season schedules.
"Should ... in two years' time, an AFLW club look to draft Emma, the AFL will continue to support her in umpiring at the elite level in the men's and playing AFLW," Lawry said.
A natural whistleblower
Professional AFL field umpire and mentor John Howorth remembers the first time he met Stark.
He recalled an encounter while shadowing the then-13-year-old through umpiring an under-9s fixture in Darwin in 2019.
"I said, 'Righto, hold the ball up to start the game Emma'," Howorth said.
But Stark responded: "I know John, I know!"
"I thought, 'Jeez, she's got a bit of ticker'."
Howorth also umpired alongside Stark at Docklands Stadium the night she became the youngest-ever elite level official, having mentored her since that initial under-9s fixture.
"She's incredibly confident and mature for her age," Howorth said.
"Her ability to create conversations with anyone is amazing for a young person. She's very grounded and has great composure under pressure."
Following her AFLW debut, which included a pre-match on-field national television interview, Stark spoke about the rush which comes with blowing the whistle.
"I like to be in control, that's why I chose field umpiring," Stark said.
"I'm confident and back myself and my decisions. I just love the game."
Playing talent
Northern Territory Thunder Academy Coach Brent Renouf says Stark is also a natural with football in hand.
"We've earmarked her as one of the top talents moving forward over the next few years," he said.
Playing across the half-forward line or on a wing, Stark was chosen as a 15-year-old in the under-18 Allies team — consisting of players from the Northern Territory and Tasmania — for the 2022 national championships.
Kicking a goal in her only game that tournament, Renouf believes Stark is on track to be picked up in the 2024 draft.
"She's easily good enough. Emma has really good skills, she's up there with the fittest players across the whole Northern Territory — and she can kick goals," he said.
A potential trailblazer
But Howorth is determined not to lose Stark from the umpiring ranks and says a dual career is a possibility.
"Hopefully the AFL can work out that pathway where she could umpire men's football in the winter and play in the AFLW in the spring and summer," Howorth said.
"It'd be fantastic to see and would be another pathway for future umpires."
