Gippsland Umpires Association has become the first umpiring organisation to join the AFL Gippsland Regional Administration Centre.
GUA officially enters the RAC on November 1 on a two-year agreement, joining Gippsland League, Alberton and North Gippsland football netball leagues and Traralgon and District Junior Football League in being administered from the AFL Gippsland football operations hub in Morwell.
AFL Gippsland commission chair Angus Hume said GUA was a welcome addition to the RAC portfolio.
‘‘In the past 12 months the AFL Gippsland administration centre has grown considerably and that is in large part thanks to the work of region general manager Travis Switzer and his team,’’ Hume said.
‘‘As a commission, we’ve been working very hard to support football and netball leagues in Gippsland and it’s important to include and extend that support to our local umpires.
‘‘The Gippsland Umpires Association is a fantastic organisation and to have them on board is a huge boost for AFL Gippsland.’’
GUA has 120 members – including more than 40 green shirt umpires – and provides officials for three Gippsland football leagues.
GUA president Chris Behrendorff said the move would greatly assist in the association’s day-to-day administration and take the association forward.
‘‘This is the next step in our structure and we’re looking forward to it,’’ Behrendorff said.
‘‘Some of the stuff we have to do as volunteers is so time-consuming and hopefully that will swing towards the team at AFL Gippsland a bit more.
‘‘We need the guidance and I’m sure we will learn from each other, which will make it easier for everyone.’’
AFL Gippsland region general manager Travis Switzer said GUA’s decision to join the RAC was a vote of confidence on the back of the RAC’s first season.
‘‘It’s a great endorsement for what we’ve been able to achieve in a relatively short space of time,’’ Switzer said.
‘‘Chris and the board do a terrific job and we thank them for coming on board and look forward to working with them to ensure the best possible outcomes for the GUA.’’
Last Modified on 02/03/2015 09:25