This weekend is Community Umpiring Round, a national initiative, which will see umpiring highlighted in a positive way from the National competition right through to grass roots football.
This round gives the opportunity for all clubs to celebrate the involvement of not only appointed umpires, but also club appointed umpires, umpiring volunteers and parents and supporters that help out their club through boundary and goal umpiring the occasional match.
Each weekend NSW/ACT requires over 3800 people to Field, Boundary and Goal umpire matches across all levels of football. This requires the dedication of both local umpiring volunteers and club volunteers in coordinating the smooth running of football.
In the AFL Sydney competition itself, a total 229 individual umpires appointment are required each weekend. Broken down, the League appoints (at a minimum) 44 Field Umpires and 52 Boundary/Goal umpires while the clubs appoint 49 Field Umpires and 84 Boundary/Goal Umpires per week. Each person whether they are League or Club appointed play an important role in ensuring a fair and safe game for all players.
All umpires start their journey somewhere. The majority of all umpires started their journey at a club, and therefore I would encourage all clubs to not only recognise the success of players on their journey, but also players and volunteers that have gone on to take up the whistle or the flags in supporting your community competition.
All players, officials and umpires are being strongly encouraged to wear green armbands during AFL Sydney matches this weekend to signify their support of umpires and the role they play within the AFL Sydney competition.
Green tape will be provided to all home teams this week which is to be distributed to both the home and away teams as well as umpires (including club umpires) prior to the match.
This weekend there are a range of ways that your club can recognise the umpires, some of these ideas include:
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Prior to each match, both teams (including coaching staff) line up and shake the umpires hands,
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At the conclusion of the match, the coaches from both teams go onto the ground to shake the umpires hands,
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During breaks the home club to offer umpires a drink and at the end of the game invite the umpires to have a drink at the after match presentation
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Where clubs have a PA system, the announcer to advise of the details of Umpiring Is Everyone’s Business Round
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Recognition of current umpires, club volunteers that support your game day through the club website, newsletter or at the ground
All clubs are urged to engage with the umpires over the course of the weekend and ensure that through the themed round that we can make a positive match day environment which is ongoing for umpires over the whole season.
The key messages trying to be promoted durng the round are:
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The need to provide better match day environments and experience for umpires all over Australia, particularly community and grass roots levels. Because of these poor match day environments, there is a high drop-out rate which has led to a shortage of umpires in many areas.
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Aiming to promote umpiring as an activity that can be engaged in by people of all ages, genders, races, backgrounds etc.
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That umpires, like the players, coaches, fans, media, administrators etc. simply love the game of football and that’s why they get involved. This is a common emotion shared by umpires and all other stakeholders in the game. They also do it because like players they love the game.
Want to become an umpire yourself? The flyer (to the right) provide more details and contacts or contact the league directly.
Last Modified on 01/05/2014 17:31
