Round Seven of the 2014 Toyota AFL Premiership Season has been designated as Community Umpiring Round and aims to encourage people to get involved in umpiring Australian Football at the grassroots level.
Umpiring is a great way to be involved in the football community, and it offers players and non-players alike an inclusive and supportive environment that allows you to keep fit and earn money each weekend. Current players are also encouraged to get involved in umpiring with many opportunities to combine both activities into the season.
AFL National Head of Umpiring Wayne Campbell said: “Each weekend more than 12,000 umpires officiate at community football throughout the nation, but with more than 20,000 umpires required to cover these matches, there is an urgent need to grow the number of people involved in umpiring.
“For those who are aspiring to umpire at the highest level, the pathway to the AFL competition offers a structured way for high quality candidates to progress their way to the top. Beginner umpires are provided with coaching and mentoring to support them as they develop through each stage.”
The best way to find out more information is to visit umpireafl.com.au, where you can find your nearest umpiring group, read guides on the roles of umpires and access resources to assist learning.
AFL Umpires will be taking part in a number of activities across the week- to help current umpires improve their skills, as well as offer information to potential new recruits at each event.
At community football games throughout Queensland, teams and coaches will shake hands with umpires prior to the first bounce.
At each match during Round Seven of the 2014 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, the umpires will be led on to the ground by four first-year community umpires, giving them a taste of the elite match day experience and demonstrating the opportunities that are available through umpiring.
