Umpiring Pathway

The umpiring pathway details the steps that an umpire may take in their umpiring career.

Most umpires will commence umpiring school or community junior matches before progressing up the pathway.

If you are interested in getting in the game and becoming an umpire, visit umpire.afl 

Indigenous & Multicultural Pathway

The AFL is focused on increasing diversity throughout the game of Australian Football.

The AFL believes that umpiring offers the Indigenous and people from Multicultural backgrounds a great opportunity to enjoy getting in the game.

The AFL is supporting the growth of Indigenous and Multicultural umpiring by providing State Umpiring Diversity Academies and a specialised umpiring pathway.

If you are interested in getting in the game and becoming an umpire, visit umpire.afl.

Female Pathway

The AFL is focused on increasing diversity throughout the game of Australian Football.

Female participation in the game whether as a player, coach, fan or umpire continues to increase and the game is better for their contribution.

Umpiring offers an equal opportunity for female umpires to progress through the Talent Pathway.

Currently, there are three female umpires umpiring AFL football, Eleni Glouftsis, Chelsea Roffey and Sally Boud. Roffey reached the pinnacle of umpiring in 2012 when she umpired the Toyota AFL Grand Final.

If you are interested in getting in the game and becoming an umpire, visit umpire.afl.

Player to Umpire Pathway

The AFL believes that football players can be successful umpires at all levels of the game, either whilst they are still playing or once they conclude their playing career.

There is vast experience gained playing the game that will allow the player to umpire to make excellent decisions during matches.

Umpiring is also a great way to stay involved in the game you love.

The AFL also offers a Player to Umpire pathway scholarship for former AFL and State League players to fast track their development. Graduates of this program are current AFL umpires Leigh Fisher and Brent Wallace.

If you are interested in getting in the game and becoming an umpire, visit umpire.afl.

Strategy

The AFL has recently developed a strategy for umpiring development nationally.

The vision of umpiring development is: To have every game of Australian Football officiated by the required number of qualified umpires

To achieve this vision, the strategy has four key strategic directions:

1) GROW: Recruit umpires from traditional and diverse backgrounds because the bigger the base the higher the pinnacle

2) TRAIN: Provide learning opportunities for all of our umpires.

3) TRANSITION: Allow our umpires to be the best they can because one in two of our umpires want to progress to a higher level

4) RETAIN: Keep our umpires engaged for longer through inclusive and enjoyable environments

View the community umpiring strategic plan here