Celebrating the key role of Umpires

Photo: Danny Dalton

The objective of Community Umpiring Week is to increase the awareness of umpiring as a choice and as an additional activity to playing.

This week will promote the benefits of umpiring to attract new umpires to the game. Messaging will highlight why umpiring is a great alternative to playing, as well as the benefits of umpiring. Benefits including “get fit, get paid, have fun”, learning new skills, all while learning about the game.

This additional awareness aims to show recognition to all umpires as well as foster support of umpiring and in turn assist in the recruitment and retention of umpires at grassroots levels.

Brad Greenshields, Community Football and Competition Manager for AFL Northern NSW, said that the contribution of Umpires doesn’t go unnoticed.

“Every weekend across the AFL North West there is a key group of passionate individuals that pull on the green shirt and whistle to umpire and allow their local club games to happen,” Greenshields said.

“This weekend we want to thank each and every one of our umpires, for your contribution to umpiring and your support of the game at grass roots level. Without you taking on this role, many players & clubs would not be able to participate in the game we all love and enjoy.”

It is requested that each club plays its part in promoting Community Umpiring Week across the weekend of May 3 and 4:

• Having players line up on field prior to the start of each match and shaking hands with the Umpires
• Host clubs to read out the following script whilst players shake hands with the Umpires:“The {insert names of both participating clubs} would like to acknowledge the efforts and contributions of all the local community umpires involved in our competitions. Thank you for providing the opportunity for our teams to play every weekend, as well as helping to educate our players.”

Wherever possible please include the call to action and anyone interested in umpiring can CLICK HERE to register that interest.

Thank you for your club’s support of Community Umpiring.