Katherine umpire, Marcus Rosas recognised on the national stage

During Cricket Australia's national awards ceremony, Marcus Rosas was named Community Match Official of the Year.

Humbled is the first word that came to mind for Marcus when describing his feelings about receiving the national award for something he does born out of passion.

"I'm surprised and very humbled. To be classed as a finalist, I was overwhelmed, and I realise and understand to actually win the award above so many great people who do this line of work is very humbling," he said.

Marcus was first introduced to cricket at the age of five by his older brothers, and although during his teenage years he stepped away from the sport, he soon found himself drawn in once again.

Playing for Katherine on and off from 1984, Marcus called it quits some years later and decided to look into umpiring.

Since then, Marcus has received his Level 1 Umpires Accreditation to join a small number of accredited Australian Indigenous cricket umpires.

"I retired in 2016 and thought 'well, how can I keep involved with the game?' so I approached NT Cricket and asked to get my umpiring level," he said.

"I umpire in Katherine, and run a number of regional/remote cricket carnivals in Timber Creek, Katherine, Borroloola, Tennant Creek, Darwin - I basically go all around the Territory with umpiring.

"What I like about cricket is the friendships you make. My policy all through the years of playing was to meet and greet new friends and I still do to this day."

Partnering his love for cricket and passion for his work with the NO MORE program, Marcus uses the sport as an avenue to help communities understand that domestic violence is still as present as ever.

"I use cricket as a vehicle to get that message out to not just the Northern Territory, but the whole of Australia," he said.

"If I can play my part in creating awareness of domestic violence against women, hopefully that can help people understand that it needs to stop and will not be tolerated.

"There's too many of our people dying at the hands of their current or former partners. Domestic violence is happening behind closed doors.

"It's about talking to the youth and letting them grow up with this information. If they see it, they can call somebody."

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT.

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