Local AFL leagues will this week take part in Umpiring Round to support umpires at the community level of the game. Umpiring Round encourages everyone involved in Australian Football – coaches, players, administrators, parents and supporters – to play a role in creating a positive match day environment to retain and recruit umpires.
More than 12,000 umpires officiate Australian Rules football every weekend across Australia. At the community level, a welcoming environment ensures umpires feel supported to officiate to the best of their ability. Each weekend of club football there are 3800 umpiring appointments required in NSW/ACT many of these are filled by club umpires, mums and dads just helping out for the day. It is critical that the AFL community works together to create a positive atmosphere for the officials of the game whether they are league appointed or club umpires.
Often umpires are lost to the game due to the reception and abuse they receive from spectators and fans at matches. When surveyed, the number one reason that umpires stopped their involvement was because of the lack of respect for their role by players and officials (20%) followed by a poor match day environment (18.5%) and abuse (15.4%). Umpiring Round will include a number of local initiatives by leagues that will help improve the overall umpiring experience. At the AFL level, this will be extended with all club coaches shaking hands with the umpires prior to the opening bounce of each match.
When surveyed, 68 per cent of umpires said their number one reason for umpiring was their love of the game. Sydney Swans coach John Longmire says both players and spectators may not realise that umpires are as committed and passionate about the game as they are.
"As a coach, I help prepare my players to perform at the best of their ability each week," Longmire said.
"It may not be common knowledge but umpires train and prepare themselves just like the players do. It takes a tremendous amount of commitment and dedication to become an umpire and we respect the work they do – umpires play an integral role in our great game." With participation rates booming across the country, the number of umpires needs to increase in order to meet the demand for the game. In 2012, 1159 Umpires/Coaches/Volunteers were involved in umpiring - up from 1142 in 2011. The aim is to reach 2000 umpires by the end of 2015 - which means a 15 per cent growth each season.
GIANTS Senior Assistant Coach and Play AFL Ambassador Leon Cameron said that all participants should recognise the contribution of umpires. "Umpires are essential to our sport, so it’s important that we get behind Umpiring Round and show our appreciation for umpires at all levels of the game," Cameron said.
"Decisions may not always go your way, but just remember that without the umpires we wouldn’t have a game each week so please respect their judgement and play the game in good spirits." A number of umpires around the country will also be wearing green shirts throughout the year to communicate to people that they are learning the game and need to be encouraged and supported. Everyone can play a role in creating a positive match day environment to ensure umpires, coaches, players and volunteers perform at their peak.
Last Modified on 01/05/2013 17:39
