With the close of another footy season approaching fast, the AFL Queensland umpiring department is looking to next year’s competition and considering how the umpiring panels will meet its officiating needs in 2011. Examination reveals that recruitment in the off season is a key for 2011.
Greg Howell, AFL Queensland’s State Umpire Manager has indicated that the recruitment of new umpires to all levels of football is a key activity of the department through the off season. “Our recruitment into the Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast Junior umpire panels has been strong. Our Umpire Development Officers in these areas have done an outstanding job and we will continue to improve our programs in these areas to yield good results in 2011.”
On the other hand, recruitment of umpires for senior football has proven to be a difficult problem to solve. “We have had several retirements from our senior community football panel which will be hard to fill going forward. Umpires such as Peter Wallace (retired), Tim Hanna (relocated) and Kerry Williamson (injured) and Barry Allen (retired) were umpires with over 200 games or more experience. ”
It is hard to put old heads on young shoulders but AFLQ will have to ask the young and less experienced umpires to step up and fill the void. Howell believes that it can take 4- 8 years to develop a strong and experienced umpire capable of managing senior football. Howell also believes that if you push them to fast they can burn out and leave the sport making the recruitment problem harder.
Any players that are retiring in 2010 or are looking for a new football challenge should consider umpiring in 2011. This includes field, boundary and goal. Umpires can earn over $100.00 per game and there are opportunities to umpire Saturday or Sunday or both.
AFLQ has a full time field umpire’s coach to oversee your initial development and induction. Our new umpires are also paired up with senior umpires to make their introduction easier and more enjoyable.
AFLQ has also recently named Zillmere as the new Umpire Training and Development centre for AFLQ but has also continued to invest in the training centres on the Sunshine and Gold Coasts.
“We have put in place many of the systems and roles that will help us get to where we want to be. All we need is the people ready to join in and give it a go.” Howell said.
To register your interest contact
Greg Howell – ghowell@aflq-new.fspdev.com or phone on 30335421;
Gold Coast – David Silver – dsilver@aflq-new.fspdev.com or 0421921808;
Sunshine Coast – Rohan Briggs – rbiggs@aflq-new.fspdev.com – 0414841747
For more information check the AFLQ Website at www.aflq-new.fspdev.com.
