This weekend (May 4-6) AFL leagues throughout Queensland will take part in Umpires Round to acknowledge the contribution of AFL umpires to community football.
Umpires Round encourages everyone – coaches, players, administrators, parents and supporters – to have a positive impact on match day at all levels of football to assist with recruiting and retaining community umpires.
One of the main reasons some umpires leave the game is lack of respect from players and coaches and unwelcoming match environments. Umpires Round aims to emphasise the responsibility we all have to create a positive football match day environment.
AFL Queensland State Umpire Manager Andrew Reeves said that Umpiring Round was a great way for the football community to support umpires.
“Without umpires there would be no games,” said Reeves, “so it’s vital that we provide them with a really supportive environment.”
“AFL Queensland is committed to nurturing and developing our community umpires but we need the support of the broader football community to ensure they continue to feel supported in their roles.”
Reeves said that while there had been significant improvement in match day environments since the inception of the Umpiring is Everybody’s Business campaign, the message still needs to be reinforced.
“The campaign has really highlighted the role that everybody plays in creating a welcoming environment for umpires and Umpires Round is an excellent way of reinforcing that message.
“Umpires make an enormous contribution to AFL and we want to encourage more people to consider it as a great way to be involved in the game.”
Queensland activities for Umpires Round Include:
- Coaches and umpires will shake hands in the centre of the ground prior to the coin toss at the commencement of each game.
- All Queensland umpires, players and coaches are encourage to wear green armbands or place green tape on their boots during this week’s games in support of the umpires.
- The AFL Queensland “Umpire AFL” photo competition. Simply post a photo to the AFLQ facebook page (or email to media@aflq-new.fspdev.com) from this weekend’s round that showcases the green armbands and promotes the “Umpiring is Everyone’s Business” messages of supporting umpires
