Umpiring is Everyone's Business
The AFL's ‘Umpiring is Everyone’s Business’ campaign aims to communicate the following key messages –
1. Umpiring is everyone’s business – whether you are a coach, player, parent, administrator, supporter, we all have a role to play in creating positive match day environments. Your attitude and behavior has a direct impact on an umpire’s enjoyment of their role.
2. Umpiring is a significant issue for our game – the demand for umpires at community level is not being met by the supply of umpire’s available (89% growth in appointments, 13% growth in umpires) – if the current trend continues, the game at community level will suffer. There is an annual umpiring turnover of 20 - 25%. Recruitment is difficult, but retention is the more significant challenge.
3. The main reason for this turnover and the challenge to recruit is the existence of poor match day environments that are generated by players, coaches, administrators and supporters (including parents). These environments consist of abuse and intimidation towards umpires.
4. Umpiring can often be a very difficult and challenging task and umpires do the job because of their enjoyment and love for the game – when the match day environment is poor their enjoyment deteriorates and this leads to eventual drop-out.
The Umpiring is Everyone’s Business campaign initiatives focuses on using influential people within Australian Football to advocate positively about umpiring and for all participants within our game to take responsibility for their behaviour on match day.
Last Modified on 30/09/2010 01:33
