Ashtyn Dennison is ready to be pushed out of her comfort zones, juggling two big roles in one day.
The 17-year-old will not only be umpiring the senior NWFL grand final, but she will also be opening the game by singing the national anthem.
"The fact that I've been appointed as one of the four senior boundary umpires on the day is special enough. To be also asked to sing the Anthem is a great opportunity to really push me out of my comfort zone," she said.
"It will definitely be the largest audience I have sung in front of so far."
This will be Miss Dennison's fifth year umpiring.
"I am excited to be marking history by being one of two females, along with Bailee Gale, to be on the entire ground in a heavily male-dominated sport on the North-West Coast of Tasmania.
"I think that this shows a real shift in tradition and it's certainly an exciting time for us girls in football, whether playing or umpiring."
Two to three thousand people are expected to flock to the grand final held at Latrobe on Saturday. The Burnie Dockers and the Devonport Magpies are the two teams who will battle it out.
"I remember when I was younger at Christmas Carnivals running in the NuGen events, and I saw Macey Stewart stand in her cycling gear, at the microphone, singing the Anthem before her wheel race and remember thinking how nervous she must have been. She was amazing," Miss Dennison.
"I am honoured to have been asked to sing on Saturday. It's the pinnacle event on the North-West football calendar."
Miss Dennison is no stranger to performing.
"In the past, I have been a part of Latrobe High School Productions. This year I am in year 11 at Don College. Playing the role of Vivienne in Don College Production has really helped me to grow confidence in my singing," she said.
"I've met with my singing teacher, Meegan Hughes who has helped me to settle my nerves ahead of Saturday. I'm nervous but very excited and incredibly proud."
Miss Dennison wanted to thanks the Umpires Association and her singing teacher for providing "fantastic mentoring and ongoing support."
