Umpires play an important role in AFL
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE OF THE UMPIRE
Umpires are responsible for managing an AFL match both on and off the ground. To the players, coaches, officials and spectators the match in which they are participating is the most important match played that day.
The role of umpires on match day is to:
- Interpret and apply the laws according to the spirit of the laws.
- Attend to the administrative requirements necessary for the successful staging of the game.
- Ensure a safe environment for all players and officials.
TYPES OF UMPIRES
Umpiring has three disciplines - Field, Boundary and Goal. Although separate in skills and abilities these three groups of umpires work together to ensure the match is played safely and fairly.
FIELD - Field Umpires officiate and have full control of a match. These umpires continually move across a football field with the play and position themselves at all times so that they can clearly observe play. Field Umpires officiate the play in line with the laws of the game and apply them within the spirit of the laws.
BOUNDARY - Boundary Umpires move along the boundary of the football field, judge whether the ball is out of bounds (or out of bounds on the full) and return the ball to play via a boundary throw in. Boundary umpires also assist the goal umpires in determining a scoring shot.
GOAL - Goal Umpires are positioned in the goal posts at each end of the field. The y are responsible for judging whether a goal or behind has been scored, signalling that a score has been made and recording the score.
LAWS OF AFL
The laws of AFL explain how a match of Australian Football is played so that it is played fairly and safely. All Umpires must clearly know and recall the laws of the game in order to perform their role as umpires.
For a pdf copy of the Laws of Australian Football click here.
SPIRIT OF LAWS OF AFL
While the laws of the game state exactly what can and cannot occur on the field of play, the Spirit of the Laws provides guidance on interpretations and the intention of the laws. Umpires must be familiar with the Spirit of the laws in order to understand how to interpret and apply the laws.
For a pdf copy of the Spirit of the Laws of Australian Football click here.
UMPIRE MATCH PAYMENTS
Umpires earn match payments for umpiring matches. The amount that an umpire is paid depends on the level of football that the umpire officiates. Depending on the league there is also travel allowances paid and umpires are covered for injury through workcover.
The following table provides a general guideline for umpire match payments in Queensland.
U14 | U16 | U18 | Community | Senior | |
Field | $40 | $60 | $70 | $100 | $170 |
Boundary | - | - | - | $75 | $100 |
Goal | - | - | - | $65 | $85 |
TRAINING AND PREPARATION
Like all positions of employment umpires are required to attend training and development sessions to ensure they are competent and have the required skills and knowledge. Additionally due to the physical demands of the game umpires should have a good level of physical fitness.
Umpires will attend training once or twice per week (or more in some cases) to prepare for umpiring. Training includes fitness work, workshops, video review, skills and drills and lecture sessions. These programs are organised and managed by Umpire Coaches.
Umpires have a Nationally recognised accreditation program. The National Umpire Accreditation Scheme (NUAS) has three levels for Field Umpires and two levels for Boundary and Goal Umpires. It is compulsory for all umpires to be level 1 accredited or undertaking or undertaking the level 1 accreditation program to umpire in Queensland.
