Afifth honour has come the way of Mid South Eastern Football League umpire Matt Cockrum in this calendar year.


He was named on Wednesday night as the recipient of the prestigious Golden Whistle award as the outstanding field umpire of 2024.


It followed his selection as the umpire in the 2024 MSEFL Team of the Year which was announced at the Mail Medal presentation function.


He officiated in the South East zone carnival in Mount Gambier in June and the South Australian Country Football Championships in Victor Harbor in July.


Cockrum joined the MSEFL panel in 2017 after persistent leg injuries had forced his retirement as a Tantanoola Reserves player the previous year.


The pinnacle of his umpiring career came last month when he took charge of his first MSEFL A Grade grand final at Kongorong.


He told The SE Voice of his enjoyment and satisfaction from ‘blowing the whistle’.


“Umpiring means I can still be involved with footy,” Cockrum said.


“There is great fellowship among the members of the Mid SE panel and I recommend umpiring to any retired players.


“I well remember my first A Grade game back in 2019.


“It was when Kongorong hosted Nangwarry and I was teamed up with Chris Scott.”


In keeping with the Family League, Cockrum occasionally umpires with his two elder sons Noah and Chad as they are boundary umpires.


The Golden Whistle was presented at the end-of-season umpires’ dinner at the Jens Hotel in Mount Gambier.


MSEFL umpires director Neil Webber also presented awards to Adam Maidment and Nathan Chapple in recognition of their efforts over the past season.


Maidment was the most consistent umpire in 2024 while Chapple was adjudged to be the leading early career umpire.


The dinner was attended by umpires, their partners and four members of the MSEFL executive committee.