Round eight of the AFL Premiership season will see the launch of the "Umpiring Is Everyone’s Business" campaign. This campaign, targeting grass roots football, strives to create long term improvements in the match day behaviour of coaches, players and spectators. The campaign aims to improve the challenging conditions faced by umpires on match day. Research indicates that this is the leading cause of the high turnover of umpires in Australia.
This campaign asks all match day participants to contribute positively to the game so that it is a safe and enjoyable experience for all involved. Coaches, players, umpires and spectators can all have a positive impact on the game. Keep an eye out for campaign posters in your club.
During round eight and the weeks following, a series of television advertisements will be broadcast during the coverage of AFL games to create awareness of the campaign and to send the following messages:
• Playing, coaching and umpiring needing to have a stronger relationship
• Making umpiring everyone’s business – we all can have a positive impact on the match day environment.
• Ensuring coaches are aware of their responsibilities in role modelling the correct behaviour
• Educating people about respecting the umpire
This year the AFL has launched this campaign by requesting AFL coaches shake hands with AFL umpires prior to the start of the game. This small gesture publically demonstrates support for the match day umpire and the role that umpires have in the game. This small but powerful gesture uses the coach, who has the greatest influence on the behaviour and performance of a team and club to lead by example and demonstrate their support.
To follow this lead AFL Queensland are asking that all coaches and umpires meet in the centre of the field prior to the start of the match and shake hands. This will be a state-wide initiative and will commence on the weekend of the 15th of May.
This action will also demonstrate support for the "Umpiring is Everyone’s Business" campaign by umpires and coaches in front of players and spectators. This act of leadership will take a step toward creating a positive environment at your club where football is enjoyed by everyone involved in the match.
I hope you consider this campaign and do your part in supporting it so that our sport will continue to engage people to participate as umpires, coaches, players and volunteers
Last Modified on 16/07/2010 11:35
