Hayden Pearson has been selected to attend the VFL cadets’ squad in Melbourne on July 12.

Pearson became the youngest senior field umpire in league history at 15 when he officiated the Albury-Wangaratta Rovers’ game on June 2.

Tigers’ coach Shaun Daly publicly praised the youngster after the game.

“For his age, he’s very well developed, he’s progressing very well,” AFL North East Border field umpires’ coach Shane Downie said.

“It’s a matter of making sure he doesn’t get ahead of himself, (but) if he continues to progress the way he has over the last 18 months, he’ll have a very bright future and I suggest he has the potential to get better and make the VFL list.”

Pearson will meet with a host of officials, including former AFL umpire Hayden Kennedy and AFL Victoria’s State League Umpiring Head Coach Cameron Nash.

“The (emerging) umpires have been identified as individuals that they (AFL Victoria) hope will make the (VFL) list in two to three years,” Downie said.

“They will speak to the umpires about their development and what they must do to get into the development program and rookie list.”

Meanwhile in O and M tribunal news, Wangaratta’s Nick Richards’ charge of striking Wodonga Raiders’ Jordan Rouse will be heard by the independent tribunal in Albury on Wednesday night.

The report was made following a second term skirmish.

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