High profile former AFL umpire Ray Chamberlain will come out of retirement to officiate in the upcoming AFLW season.
Chamberlain, who retired from umpiring at the end of the 2024 AFL season, is one of 116 whistle blowers included in the 2025 AFLW Umpire List released on Wednesday.
He is joined by fellow former AFL umpires, Jordan Bannister and Chris Donlon, on the list, with the trio having officiated four AFL grand finals, 52 AFL finals and 910 games between them.
Also included is the winner of the 2024 AFLW Umpire Rising Star Award, Jordyn Pearson, 2024 AFLW grand final umpire, Gabby Simmonds and AFLW grand final goal umpires Emilie Hill and Georgia Henderson.
AFL rookie listed boundary umpires Greta Miller, Kaitlin Barr and Melissa Sambrooks will also officiate in the upcoming AFLW season, as will goal umpire Joshua James, who returns to the league after becoming the first Indigenous AFLW umpire in 2023.
With the AFLW celebrating its 10th season in 2025, 42 women will officiate in the competition, making 36 per cent of the umpire list, a two per cent increase on 2024.
The 2025 AFLW season begins on Thursday, August 14, with Carlton hosting Collingwood at Princess Park.
