Stephen Dionysius - stay in the moment
Paul Ryan | July 28, 2024
In April 2024 Stephen Dionysius was announced as the inaugural recipient of the Queensland Cricket Representative Match Official of the Year award.
After umpiring in Queensland Premier Cricket for several seasons Stephen was elevated to Cricket Australia’s Supplementary Umpire Panel during the 2022-23 season and has umpired Sheffield Shield and One Day games around Australia.
Aside from umpiring Stephen has been in the finance industry since 20000 and is a Director of Venro Finance. A mortgage and finance broking business
Let’s find out more about Stephen’s journey in the game so far
What year were you born?
1980
Where did you go the high school?
Padua College
Did you play much cricket before you started umpiring?
I started playing when I was 11 with Wantima Cricket Club. I played local cricket on Northside of Brisbane mainly in Warehouse A1- B3 and had a season with Norths but didn’t represent at a high level. Just loved turning up with my mates on a Saturday and having a blast.
What was your highest score?
80 not out – against Pine Rivers at their home ground and I was playing for Grange.
What were your best bowling figures?
7/56 at Peninsula and was playing for Northside Dashers.
At what age did you start umpiring?
29
What was the attraction to become an umpire?
To have the best seat in the house
Can you remember your first game as an umpire in senior cricket
It was a 5th grade game at University of Qld on field number 7 – South Brisbane v University of Queensland
How long did it take to progress through to First Grade?
About 4 years to cement a permanent spot. My debut was at Toombul with Damien Mealey (former National Umpire and current mentor) I believe it was against Wests. I can’t recall the players – I was to fixated on trying to get through the game.
Damien Mealey
Who were the umpires you admired most when you started out as an umpire?
The Queensland Umpires Association has been a massive supporter and without their support and opportunity to get on the park I wouldn’t have had the small wins.
I will never take for granted. Mike Ralston, Dave Orchard and Rob Dunbar who over time have individually helped with my game. Damien Mealey was and still is someone who invests a lot of time in my game. I have found that I take bits from all umpires to add to my game.
What was your most memorable moment as a cricket umpire?
First Class Debut at Adelaide Oval 10 February 2023 with Paul Wilson
Can you describe the funniest moment you’ve had on the cricket field as an umpire?
I umpired a match without my counter, that was hilarious
Most favourite ground to umpire?
Adelaide Oval
What’s the most intriguing ground you’ve umpired?
When I went to the Imparja Cup in Alice Springs there was a ground that had a turf wicket and a concrete pitch close to it which made the game very interesting
Who were the three batsman you admired most as an umpire?
Steve Paulsen – Western Suburbs. Fantastic to watch, very smart with his shot selection and the way he just scores runs, and there have been plenty
Jack Clayton – University of Queensland. One of the most polite but talented players today. Will no doubt score heaps of runs and hopefully take the next step at state level
Michael Phillipson – University of Queensland. I have seen some remarkable innings which include saving games but his ability to turn a game with a fast-scoring rate truly has been great to watch
Steve Paulsen
Who were the three bowlers you admired most as an umpire?
Scott Walter – University of Queensland. Always in the game when umpiring at Scott’s end, from ball one to last ball of his innings. Loves an LBW and to be fair always in the zone.
Nathan Rimmington – Sandgate Redcliffe. Could bowl all day with accuracy and swing
Andrew Gode – Valley. Loads of wickets and toils hard, great captain and top bloke
Scott Walter
Who were the three players you admired most over the years for their competitive spirit and the way they played the game?
Peter Dein - Sunshine Coast, Andrew Gode – Valley and Nathan McSweeney – Northern Suburbs
We can only assume there were quite a few characters in the game you had to keep an eye on in the field. Is there a particular moment or story you’d like to share about one of the characters?
What happens on the field stays on the field.
Who were the two captains you admired most for the way they played the game?
Jack Clayton and Matthew Kuhnemann
Who’s been the biggest influence on your involvement in cricket?
My wife Karen is very supportive of this passion of mine and without her it would be difficult to do and experience the things I have achieved to date. My father is also a huge help and often sits under the tree at games close to home, which is nice.
Who was the funniest umpire you’ve had the pleasure to umpire with?
Drew Crozier (ACT)
Who is your favourite all time cricketer growing up?
Glenn McGrath
Who is your favourite cricket commentator?
Kerry O’Keeffe
What did you enjoy most about umpiring?
Competitive nature, you always feel like you are in the game
Who would you consider the top 2 umpires in the game today?
Sam Nogajski and Donovan Koch
Did you have any superstitions?
I always pack my bag the night before
Technology – good or bad for cricket from an umpire’s perspective?
Good
What piece of technology is most valuable to an umpire and why?
DRS is helpful because it is seen by all and the play moves on whether the umpire got it correct or incorrect.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
Ball by Ball, stay in the moment
Do you like the modern game and what can the game do to make it better for umpires?
The game of cricket has evolved and with the introduction to T20 cricket and now the Blast (male and female) different playing conditions relate to the specific game you are umpiring. I love red ball cricket though; it has different challenges.
What advice would you offer a young 20 year old who has the ambition of umpiring Test Cricket?
Know the laws, prepare yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. You need to stay patient, umpiring test cricket is the pinnacle and while it is good to have the ambition you do need to stay on a level playing field because it won’t happen overnight.
What are your hobbies?
TV, Movies, spending time with family including beach visits of riding along the esplanade at Sandgate.
Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?
Enjoy the game you are umpiring and don’t get too ahead of yourself. If it is meant to be it will be!
