Wes Neal

The members of the South Australian Gridiron Association and South Australian Gridiron Officials Association deeply mourn the passing of a founding member of gridiron in South Australia. Wes was a great friend to many and he led both organisations as President during his involvement with the league.
Wes you have left many memories with people and trained many officials to become better umpires in the sport of American Football. Your guidance, wisdom and teaching people the game of gridiron has been passed onto the next generation and is now being passed onto those that follow on from us. You joined us as a regular member and left your mark as a Hall of Fame Official.

Always a life member.

On behalf of Daryl Argent for SAGOA members, Dave Sedgwick for GASA members and Grant Martin for AGOA members we say thanks.

Wes Neal

It is with deep sympathy that after a long battle with cancer Wes Neal has passed away. He will be sadly missed by the South Australian Gridiron Officials Association as he was a valuable contributor to officiating here and all over Australia. Wes was a co-founder of the league in South Australia and served as President for a number of years. He officiated in the first game ever in SA at Norwood oval and was in charge from the start.
Wes we will all miss you and your wise ways to teach us the game that you enjoyed and led from the start.

Grant Martin
SAGOA Training Officer
AGOA CEO

Wes Neal
Started officiating in 1986 – first ever game in SA
Games officiated in South Australia – 304
Founder of the South Australian league in 1985
Founder of SAGOA in 1985
Referee for the 1996 Junior National Championship game
Supervisor of Officials – Australia v New Zealand 2001
Officiated at the 2003 Senior National Championships
Officiated in numerous interstate and Down Under Bowl games
Continued involvement until retiring from “on field” duties at the end of the 2003/04 season
Served as Supervisor of Officials for SAGOA
Served for many years on both the SAGOA & GASA Executive including 10 years as President of SAGOA
Played a leading role in the creation of AGOA in 1989 and is a past-Executive member
Served as SAGOA representative to AGOA
Served as GASA representative to GA
2006 AGOA Hall of Fame Inaugural Inductee

Helmet to Helmet

Last night there was a cry for a helmet to helmet contact with a ball carrier in a tackle. While much has been said and done about this area of the game the hit of helmet to helmet did not match the philosophy of the rule. This being the use of the crown of the helmet.
In the junior game last night the contact was by the face mask to the helmet and there was no use of the helmet in being a weapon to cause injury to the ball carrier, nor injury to be caused to the person tackling. This was just part of the game.

Grant Martin
SAGOA Training Officer