Round Seven of the 2014 Toyota AFL Premiership Season has been designated as Community Umpiring Round and aims to encourage people to get involved in umpiring Australian Football at the grassroots level.
Umpiring is a great way to be involved in the football community, and it offers players and non-players alike an inclusive and supportive environment that allows you to keep fit and earn money each weekend. Current players are also encouraged to get involved in umpiring with many opportunities to combine both activities into the season.
AFL National Head of Umpiring Wayne Campbell said: “Each weekend more than 12,000 umpires officiate at community football throughout the nation, but with more than 20,000 umpires required to cover these matches, there is an urgent need to grow the number of people involved in umpiring.
“For those who are aspiring to umpire at the highest level, the pathway to the AFL competition offers a structured way for high quality candidates to progress their way to the top. Beginner umpires are provided with coaching and mentoring to support them as they develop through each stage.”
The best way to find out more information is to visit umpireafl.com.au, where you can find your nearest umpiring group, read guides on the roles of umpires and access resources to assist learning.
AFL Umpires will be taking part in a number of activities across the week- to help current umpires improve their skills, as well as offer information to potential new recruits at each event. On Wednesday April 30, a group of selected community umpires will take part in the AFL Umpire training session offering them the opportunity to test their skills and fitness among the elite in their field.
On Wednesday (April 30) and Thursday (May 1), Melbourne based umpires will travel to metropolitan and regional community umpire training sessions and share their expertise and experiences with the groups.
At each match during Round Seven of the 2014 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, the umpires will be led on to the ground by four first-year community umpires, giving them a taste of the elite match day experience and demonstrating the opportunities that are available through umpiring.
Media Opportunities
AFL UMPIRE TRAINING SESSION
Date: Wednesday April 30
Location: Visy Park, Royal Parade, Carlton
Time: 7.30pm
COMMUNITY AFL UMPIRE VISITS
Wednesday April 30
Ballarat – Wednesday from 5.30pm, City Oval, Mair Street, Ballarat
Eastern – Wednesday from 5.30pm, Croydon Athletic Track, Mt. Dandenong Road, Croydon
Northern – Wednesday from 5.30pm, C. T. Barling Reserve, Plenty Road, Reservoir
Riddell – Wednesday from 6pm, MacPherson Park, Coburns Road, Melton
Western Region – Wednesday from 6pm, Scovell Reserve, Scovell Street, Maidstone
Yarra Juniors – Wednesday from 6pm, Bulleen Park No. 1, Bulleen Road, Bulleen
Yarra Ranges Umpires – Wednesday from 6pm, Knox Athletics Track, Bunjil Way (formerly Rushdale Street) Knoxfield
South Metro Juniors - Wednesday from 5pm, Moorleigh Reserve, Bignell Road, Moorabbin
Southern Umpires – Wednesday from 6pm, Kananook Oval, McCullough Avenue, Seaford
Thursday May 1
Essendon – Thursday from 6pm, Essendon Football Club, Napier Street, Essendon.
Geelong – Thursday from 5.30pm, Kardinia Park, Geelong
Gippsland – Thursday from 6pm, Bellbird Reserve, Drouin
South East Juniors – Thursday from 5pm, E. G. Allen Reserve, Cranbourne Racecourse, Cranbourne
Southern – Thursday from 6pm, Bricker Reserve, Rowans Road, Moorabbin
VAFA – Thursday from 6pm, Elsternwick Park, Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick
