Editorial – Recognising our Umpires

Michael Sholly

This weekend around Australia we acknowledge the outstanding contribution umpires make to the game of Australian rules football. This goes all the way down from the professionals at the AFL, the community league umpires and the club volunteers who slog the oval blowing the whistle or waving the sticks. Without these hard working, loyal men and women our games and clubs would not be the same.

On Tuesday we were fortunate to have dual AFL Grand Final Umpire Shane McInerney along with Ben Ryan (Field), Rob Haala and Jason Moore (Boundary) and Jason Venkataya (Goal) attend umpire training. Having these experts imparting their knowledge and tips was a valuable experience for our umpires.

The Umpiring Department at the VAFA is extensive. On staff we have the General Manager of Football and Umpiring Brian Goodman with newly appointed Head of Umpiring, Brian Woodhead. Our coaches are led by Tony Hales who oversees six coaches and a fitness adviser. These coaches include boundary, goal, development and Under 19’s. Assisting them around the grounds we have nine observers who report directly to the coach. Each of these observers attend at least two matches each Saturday. When you add that now all games in Premier Section are filmed the coaching and analysis of our umpires is thoroughly examined.

There is no coincidence that we have by far the largest single representation of AFL and VFL umpires of any community league. In the AFL we currently have seven field and two boundary umpires with Chris Donlon and Simon Meredith officiating in a Grand Final. In the 2014 VFL Grand Final, the VAFA was represented by five of the nine appointed umpires – two field, two boundary and one goal umpire. If you were an aspiring AFL umpire, whether it be field, goal or boundary, the VAFA is the competition to give you the best opportunity.

It is evident to me that the depth of umpiring talent in the VAFA runs deep. More young, fit, athletic men and women running in the upper tiers of the VAFA than was ever seen even as little as a decade ago. These aspiring umpires have been promoted and I believe risen to the occasion. Congratulations to Tony Hales and his team on having the confidence to make these appointments.

As a result of the coaching and additional staff we have more umpires on our books this year than previously. Many of these are still in the junior ranks and not quite ready for senior selection but their progress will be rapid. For example we have over 100 boundary umpires. Of these we have approximately 80 available each week. Approximately 40 of these are currently in the Under 19’s and colts as they are in the development phase and hopefully as the year progress and they mature, they will be able to be promoted to the senior sections. Unfortunately as they are being trained up we still need club support in the lower divisions. In many of the cases the boundary umpires of today become the field umpires of tomorrow.

This table shows the number of VAFA umpires at May 1.

This is a 12% increase on last year and Brian Woodhead isn’t stopping and our numbers are still increasing weekly.

I would like to acknowledge the clubs who provide a safe and healthy environment to all our umpires. They are always welcomed into the social club after the games and supplied with drinks and support during the breaks. Along with our no drinking at amateur games provides a tangible positive experience for our umpires.

The VAFA Umpires Association would also like to thank Puma who kindly donated 20 pairs of Puma King boots or runners to award to the umpire of the round each week.

We trust that all umpires around the country have a rewarding experience.