AFL Umpire Eleni Tee Announces Maternity Leave

The league's first female field umpire prepares for the birth of her second child before a planned return.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Pregnancy

AFL Umpire Eleni Tee Announces Maternity Leave

Live Poll

Should employers be required to provide more flexible support for employees returning from maternity leave?

AFL field umpire Eleni Tee is beginning maternity leave ahead of the expected arrival of her second child in early 2027. She previously set a league precedent as the first woman to hold the position and returned to the field 13 months after her first birth.

Why it matters

Tee represents a pioneering figure in Australian sports, balancing professional officiating duties with motherhood. Her journey highlights the evolving integration of career and personal milestones for high-performance sports officials.

AFL field umpires are required to cover up to 18km during a single match. Eleni Tee successfully returned to her role 13 months after the birth of her son in February 2024.

The players

Eleni Tee

She is the first female field umpire in AFL history and a trailblazer for women in Australian sport.

Jordyn Pearson

She is the only other woman to have served as a field umpire in VFL/AFL history.

The details

To maintain her professional fitness, Tee incorporates swimming, Pilates, strength training, and specialized pelvic floor physiotherapy. The adoption of a four-umpire system by the AFL has helped reduce the total physical load managed by individual officials.

Eleni Tee made her senior AFL umpiring debut in May 2017.
Tee gave birth to her son, Levi, in February 2024.
The second child is expected to be born in early 2027.
Tee plans to return to AFL field umpiring in 2028.

Culture Shift

Tee's career trajectory challenges historical norms for elite sports officials by demonstrating that professional longevity and family life can co-exist. This reflects a broader societal shift toward supporting working mothers in high-pressure athletic environments.

The transition for the AFL umpire serves as an example for sports fans and local participants regarding the practicalities of maintaining career commitments during pregnancy. It highlights the availability of support systems like physiotherapy for women balancing strenuous physical roles.

The takeaway

Tee anticipates facing unique challenges as she prepares to balance the needs of a toddler with a second infant during her upcoming comeback. Her commitment remains focused on sustaining her career as a pioneer for future female umpires in the sport.