If the coach within a football club is known to have the greatest influence over the people within that club, then it stands to reason that the coach within an umpiring group also plays a significant role in influencing the attitudes and culture and what that group stands for.

The AFL believes that umpires coaches are responsible for:

·     establishing a positive learning environment for umpires,

·     developing umpires,

·     improving umpiring performances at all levels,

·     building additional capacity within the umpire community, and

·     building relationships with other football participants especially community football coaches

The AFL Umpire Coach Professional Development Program aims to support AFL Umpire Coaches and their assistants through the delivery of an ongoing program which is focused on two key areas of coaching. These are:

·     Environment - what is it like to where umpires go?

·     Approach - what does the coach do to assist umpires to improve?

Further information on the Umpire Coach PD program can be found here:

http://aflcommunityclub.com.au/index.php?id=38

All Umpire Coaches in Queensland are required to undertake the National Umpire Coach Professional Development Program in order to obtain their Level 1 or Level 2 accreditation in Umpire Coaching.

If you are interested in joining the Professional Development program or undertaking your accreditation then please call Pierce Field, AFLQ Community Umpiring Development Officer on 07 3033 5439 or email pierce.field@aflq.com.au