Resident NUA economics lecturer, and former boundary umpire advisor, Dr Liam Lenten, has enjoyed a busy couple of days in the limelight of the media!

Not only did Liam's co-authored formula in regards to the history of Triple J's Hottest 100 attract the attention of Triple J itself, but Liam was also interviewed on ABC News Breakfast and appeared on the front page article of the MX paper on January 25th.

With all the fame going to his head, we expect to see him flanked by bodyguards when he returns to NUA training in February.

A note to all umpires from the Director of Umpiring, Kevin Smith, re pre season training for 2012:

It was intended to send the letter to umpires announcing preseason training at an earlier time this season. Due to late notice from Parade College of training arrangements and the current restructuring of the Umpire Registration Form, this can’t be achieved to sometime later in the week beginning 23 January 2012.

Physical training for Field and Boundary umpires will commence at 5 45 p m on Monday 6 February 2012 at Parade College, Plenty Road, Bundoora. Training will continue each Monday and Wednesday thereafter until further notice. Goal umpires are welcome too of course but their first official night is Wednesday 7 March 2012.

We will once again have pre season training on the large grassed area on the right side of the main Parade road as we enter the school grounds. We will be meeting at the Garvey Oval change rooms on the first night and jog to the training area and please don’t leave valuables in the rooms. The College hasn’t decided yet if we will be using the change rooms located at the far eastern end of the large grassed area so we will meet at the Garvey.

The first Wednesday night meeting for both Saturday and Sunday umpiring is scheduled for 7 March and this will be confirmed later.

You should now start three training sessions weekly of a forty minute jog which will hold you in good stead to prevent injury once training proper starts.

Kevin Smith

Another potential new recruit!

The NUA would like to congratulate Steve Williams and his wife Gayle on the arrival of Jakobi Jai, born at 7.25am Monday Jan 16 at Wangaratta Hospital. A little brother for Keely and Imogen. Mum and Bub doing great.

As part of it's off-season activities, the NUA Exec recently updated and endorsed the NUA Code of Conduct.

A copy of the Code can be located under our Forms & Resources Section.

Equally important to be aware of, particularly with Article 1 of the NUA Code of Conduct is the NFL Social Media Policy. This is the policy that all umpires are required to adhere to as NFL Employees and the policy is endorsed by the NUA Executive.

A copy of the NFL Social Media Policy can also be found under our Forms & Rescources Section.

We recently received this note from Kay Conybear expressing her thanks to the NUA during a difficult time.

We remind everyone that all umpires will be requested to wear black armbands in Round 1 on the w/end of April 14/15 in memory of our esteemed Life Member, Neil Conybear.

The Exec would like to wish all members, their families and friends a safe and happy festive season and look forward to seeing you all in 2012.

We've got some exciting things planned for 2012, including our Social Calendar for the year which we are hoping to put some new events in, based on your survey feedback.

If you haven't yet completed this year's survey - click here or find it at our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/northernumps - you don't even have to have a Facebook Account to access it)

The plan at the moment is for our AGM to be held on Wed March 28, and we also plan to have our Season Launch TenPin Bowling night on Sat April 21 (NFL Round 2) - so keep those dates free in your new fresh-smelling 2012 diaries.

To update you on our earlier article regarding our meeting with the NFL CEO, we can now confirm that NFL ByLaw 11 has been changed which in effect will enable compulsory NUA membership for all running umpires.

Next season, all umpires will receive ONE new short sleeve shirt for FREE which will be in the NFL Corporate Colours, with the body remaining yellow and will be the same design type as those worn in the VFL (it will have a pocket on them!) as part of a NFL/NUA Sponsorship arrangement with Buffalo Sports.  Others will be available for purchase.  Cost details will be available at a later date.

We understand that letters will be sent to all umpires in mid-January regarding pre-season training.  If you have changed address during the year, or are thinking of becoming a new umpire in 2012, please email your details to nua@umpires.org.au

We thank you for your ongoing support of the Exec in 2011 and we look forward to your continued support in 2012.

Seasons Greetings!

That's right, everybody! The lovable larrikin himself - big Alex 'the chief' Langdon - has finally popped the question to his long-term partner, Cass; who gleefully accepted!

Congratulations to the happy couple! We look forward to the wedding invites!!

The NFL has now released all 3 division Senior Fixtures for 2012.

They can be found on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/northernumps) or click on the various links below for more analysis and suggested highlights of the fixtures:

Division 1 - Lower Plenty to unfurl their flags against Greensborough and Bundoora to unfurl against West Preston in Rd 1

Division 2 - South Morang to unfurl their flag against Fitzroy Stars, North Heidelberg to play Lalor in Rd 1

Division 3 - 2011 cellar dwellers Watsonia and Heidelberg West face off in Rd 1

The NUA Executive recently met with NFL CEO, Jeremy Bourke, to discuss a number of umpire-related topics, one of which related to the 2012 Pay Scale.

While the Pay Scale document is property of the League and subject to Commercial in Confidence rules and, therefore, not able to be published on our site, the Executive would like to advise that negotiations are well advanced with regards to the 2012 Pay Scale.

Happily, there are only some minor issues to work through with the League in order to secure a positive outcome for all parties and we hope to announce more details in due course.

The Executive was also advised that a new supply of short-sleeve umpire shirts will be arriving for the 2012 Season, as part of a new NFL/NUA Sponsorship arrangement with Buffalo Sports.  One short sleeve shirt will be distributed free of charge to each umpire, however if long sleeve shirts (or additional short sleeves) are required these will need to be purchased at a yet to be confirmed/announced price.  The shirts will be the same design as those of the VFL, but remain in NFL Corporate colours, with the body of the shirt Yellow and the Sleeves 'NFL Blue' .  All other items for the 2012 Season remain as per 2011, with a plan to provide a new full set of gear for the 2013 season.  A general bulk purchase order of shirts will be made in the coming weeks to ensure they are available prior to the 2012 Season.  If you are concerned that your size may not be included in the bulk order, please make contact with the Executive ASAP and advise your requirements.

The NUA and NFL have also broadly agreed on introducing Compulsory Membership of the NUA from 2012.  This creates several advantages, including being able to enhance the services which the NUA can provide members.

The NUA Executive has also sighted preliminary planning drawings for the proposed C T Barling Reserve site for the NFL HQ.  The NFL expect at this stage that umpires will be accommodated at the facility at the commencement of the 2013 season.  We will continue to update you as matters progress.

As part of its long-term strategic planning process, the NFL has also advised of a proposed new Organisational Coaching Structure for 2012.  More details will be advised in due course.  The Executive believes that the structure proposed will provide more benefits for ongoing umpire development, as well as certainty for both umpires and coaching staff on the appointment process.

A further discussion will occur with the NFL as part of 2012 pre-season planning, where other broader operational issues will be discussed and agreed on.  The outcomes of such further meetings will be communicated to you in due course.

Here is a copy of the presentation to commemorate 40 Years of DVFLUA/NUA Umpiring which was presented at our very well attended Senior Presentation Night on Grand Final Eve.

40 Years 1971 – 2011 Association

Congrats to our 'own' Les Miller on his appointment to the coaching position at Reservoir Mustangs' Under 19 side.

Check out Les' credentials here

Best of luck in your new role and we are sure you will do well and happily share a lemon squash or similar ale with your old umpiring colleagues - Win, Lose or Draw...

The survey is now open for responses.

Click here to start the survey.

We are looking to get your valued feedback on the season.  The questions are mainly aimed at running umpires, but anyone will be welcome to complete it if they can spare the short few mins it will take to complete.

The survey can also be found at the 'SurveyMonkey' tab on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/northernumps)

To progress through the survey, click on the NEXT button at the bottom of each page.  The survey has 10 questions in it and your feedback helps us to plan our activities for 2012...

Following the AGM in April, the position of Treasurer was declared vacant.  Subsequent to this two candidates offered themselves to the role, Simon Bogli and Ben McWiggan.

The Exec chose to provide the role to Simon as Ben was unable to commit to the role at the time in a full-time capacity due to schooling priorities.  The Exec co-opted Ben to the Exec in an Assistant Treasurer capacity.  Equally, Simon, while being the incumbent, expressed a desire at some point to declare a handover to Ben to take on the role once he was able to do so.

Recently, this transition occurred and the Exec would like to announce Ben McWiggan as Treasurer for the balance of the NUA's Financial Year.

The Exec would like to thank Simon for his time in offering himself to the demanding role of Treasurer and thank both Ben and Simon for the seamless transition which occurred.

The 2011 AFL Grand Final Panel has been announced:

Field:  Chris Donlon, Brett Rosebury, Shaun Ryan
Emerg: Matt Stevic

Boundary: Mark Foster, Chris Gordon, Mark Thomson, Nathan Doig
Emerg: Johnathon Creasy

Goal: David Dixon, Luke Walker
Emerg: Chelsea Roffey

The NUA was saddened to receive news that past umpire & member Shane Courts passed away last week after a battle with cancer. We would like to pass on our condolences and best wishes to the Courts family at this time. Those who knew Shane can choose to wear black arm bands in Round 1 of the 2012 season.

The NUA would like to congratulate retiring field umpire Jason Williamson on completing his 100th A Grade game last weekend in the A Grade Division 3 Grand Final.

Jason announced after the game that he will be retiring... but Kevin spoiled that party by giving him two emergency jobs in the next two weeks!

Congratulations, Willow; we hope it's not the last we'll see of you. Great effort to get to 100!

We would also like to congratulate our #2 in games records, Neville Coutts, who on Saturday will officiate in game number 550 as a goal umpire.

Terrific job, Neville; no doubt there's still plenty of years to come. And we all know you're waiting for Terry to retire to take his elusive games record mantle!!

Congratulations to these fellas who were lucky enough to bring up their records at the most exciting time of the year!!

Tonight (Wednesday 14/9) was the final official night of training for 2011 and culminated in the announcement of both the Division 1 and Division 2 GRAND FINAL Panels.

To check out the presentation slideshow from last night, click on our YouTube link on the right hand side of the page.

Below are the full panels, with all games played at Preston City Oval, Cramer St Preston:

Div 2 C G/F Lower Plenty v Diamond Creek - Sat Sept 17 - 9:30 AM

F: Danny Fitzpatrick, Ben Murray, Nicholas Pieper

B: Mitch Green, Keir Willox

G: Luke Bush, Kirsty Lord 

Emerg: Michael Ryan 

Div 2 B G/F Diamond Creek v Lower Plenty - Sat Sept 17 - 11:40 AM

F: Wayne Fyffe, Wayne Byrne, Alex Langdon

B: Jack Lewis, Tom Skinner 

G: Terry Maher (Game 580), Max Waters 

Emerg: Peter Angelis

Div 2 A G/F Lower Plenty v Epping - Sat Sept 17 - 2:10 PM

F: Adam Walker, Cam McPherson, David Cameron

B: Liam Lenten, Rick Bramham, Nathan Stewart

G: Neville Coutts (Game 550), Matt Edwards

Emerg: George Smith 

Div 1 C Prelim Northcote Park v Bundoora - Sun Sept 18 - 9:40 AM

F: Ben McWiggan, Jeff Chambers, Simon Hubber

B: Kiandra Lane, Paul Townsend

G: Matt Lafite, Craig Herman

Emerg: Lucinda Lopes

Div 1 B Prelim Final Bundoora v Northcote Park - Sun Sept 18 - 11:55 AM

F: Russ Yin, Josh Bush, Shane Robertson

B: Mikaela Lane, Thomas Rock

G: Peter Howard, Sam Booth

Emerg: Jason Williamson

Div 1 A Prelim Heidelberg v West Preston-Lakeside - Sun Sept 18 - 2:10 PM

F: Nathan Lessels, Steve Williams, Andrew O'Neill

B: Tamara Lane, Natasha Lane, Chris Bramham 

G: Vic Filipou, Stephen Kocjancic 

Emerg: Luke Richardson

Div 1 C G/F Greensboorough v Northcote Park / Bundoora - Sat Sept 24 - 9:30 AM

F: Ben McWiggan, Jeff Chambers, Simon Hubber

B: Kiandra Lane, Sam Staples

G: Stephen Kocjancic, Sam Booth 

Emerg: Danny Fitzpatrick

Div 1 B G/F Montmorency v Bundoora / Northcote Park - Sat Sept 24 - 11:40 AM

F: Russ Yin, Josh Bush, Shane Robertson

B: Thomas Rock, Paul Townsend

G: Vic Filipou, Brett Osseweyer 

Emerg: Jason Williamson

Div 1 A G/F Bundoora v Heidelberg / West Preston-Lakeside - Sat Sept 24 - 2:10 PM

F: Nathan Lessels, Steve Williams, Andrew O'Neill

B: Brendan Canty, Jeff Miller, Lawrence Coop

G: Matt Lafite, Craig Herman 

Emerg: Luke Richardson

As we are taking Grand Final Photos, please ensure you arrive at the ground EARLY!!!

We will also be booking some tables at Cramers Hotel next to the ground following the Div 1 and Div 2 A Grade Grand Finals.  MEALS AND DRINKS AT OWN COST.

Also, a reminder that our Senior Presentation Night will be held on Friday Sept 30 at Casa D'Abruzzo in O'Hearns Rd, Epping.  Including a 3 course meal and DJ Entertainment, the $30 Per Head price represents great value to kick start your AFL Grand Final Weekend plans.

Please note payments will not be accepted on the night.

If you haven't yet booked your seats, please email nua@umpires.org.au with your details ASAP.

The NUA would like to congratulate our Division 3 Grand Final Panels, announced earlier this evening:

Div 3 A G/F Sth Morang v Parkside - Epping Recreation Reserve - 2:10 PM

F: Luke Richardson, Jason Williamson, George Smith, Emerg: Andrew Smith

B: Natasha Lane, Thomas Martin, Chris Bramham 

G: Ben Murray, Lee Compton-Robins

Div 3 B G/F Panton Hill v Reservoir - Epping Recreation Reserve - 11:30 AM

F: Lucinda Lopes, Peter Angelis, Emerg: Andrew Smith 

B: Tamara Lane, Mikaela Lane

G: Ron Emary, Peter Francis

As we are taking Grand Final Photos, please ensure you arrive at the ground EARLY!!!

The NUA would like to formally congratulate all award winners from the 2011 NUA Junior Presentation Night (sponsored by Bendigo Bank: South Morang Branch) held last Friday, September 2nd at Cafe Azurea.

The award winners for 2011 are:

Neil Webb Shield (sponsored by Meeash Marketing) – Luke Richardson

Most Improved Junior Umpire (sponsored by Peter Howard) – Billy Roberton

Best First Year Umpire (Field) – Josh Clancy

Best First Year Umpire (Boundary) – Joel Clamp

Best First Year Umpire (Goal) – Kirsty Lord

We would also like to thank all umpires and their families for attending on Friday night. We had fantastic numbers for this year's event and look forward to having a full house at more functions in the future.

Don't forget to reserve your place for the Senior Presentation Night, coming up at Casa D'Abruzzo - 55 O'Hearns Road, Epping on Friday, September 30.

Exciting news from the NUA! We're now set up with PayPal integrated into our 'Off-Field Clothing' page, to make purchasing your NUA corporate gear even easier than ever before!

You can pay up front via credit card, bank transfer or by using your own PayPal account, and clothing will be available for collection at training on Wednesday nights.

Check out our off-field clothing page now, and if you're in need of an item, why not give PayPal a go!

Please note: PayPal will be available for NUA members only. Names will be cross-checked with our Membership database, and any non-members will have their transactions rejected.

DON'T PANIC!!!  

It is likely that you have an old version of Internet Explorer (if using Windows).

SportingPulse no longer supports being able to view content via old versions of Internet Explorer, which means things like Drop-down Menus, such as those in the Social Corner and Forms & Resources sections, cannot be viewed properly.

You will need to click here to Download the latest version of Internet Explorer 

If you have anything but Windows 7, you need to Download Internet Explorer 8. 

If you use Windows 7, it is recommended you Download Internet Explorer 9. (New computers usually already have this version installed)

As previously advertised, we are trying to establish an e-mailing list for Members Only and as a trial have locked down AFL and NFL Senior Panel Appointments to those who 'Join Our Community'.  See the 'Appointments' news item below.  We welcome your support of the trial, and thank those who have already joined up so far.

We've now migrated our site across to SportingPulse and taken the opportunity to give our site a bit of a refresh.

Here you will find pretty much everything we had on our previous site but a little bit easier to find via drop-down menus.  You will need the latest version of Internet Explorer (8.0) to view the site properly and other similar versions of Google Chrome and Safari.

Those with Social Networking sites Facebook and Twitter can like and tweet items and photos on our page.  However, it is worth reading the NFL's Social Media Policy, which applies to umpires, which can be found under the 'Forms and Resources' section.

In the interests of transparency, we will also be publishing our Exec Mins and AGM Mins under the 'Meeting Minutes' section.

We will also be linking to results of the AFL, NFL, VFL and TAC Cup matches under the 'Fixtures/Results' section as well as publish the AFL and NFL consolidated appointments as they become available.

You will also notice a dynamic photo gallery on the middle righthand side of the page, with the most recent photos being of our 2010 Senior and Junior panels. Feel free to click on them and flick through them!  You can also access these from the 'Pics from Around the Grounds' section, and we welcome you to submit your own photos during the season (or even pre-season!)

And, to keep updated on all things Whispers, Whistlestop and our Social Calendar, you will find this under the 'Social Corner' section.

To make the site more interactive and work for you, 'Join Our Community' - This will allow you to fully interact with our website, including voting in Polls (our first one will be to choose which AFL Game we apply for tickets to see) and also add your views in the Forum/Topic Board (our current topic is Who do you think will win the NAB Cup).  By supplying a valid email address, this will allow the Exec team to streamline communication to you (such as Whistlestop Newsletters) and get in touch with you in real time and efficiently about NUA Activity.

As well as interacting with our site, SportingPulse's 'MySport' network provides you with your own webspace/blog for all things sports.  You can create your own username and add your favorite sports/leagues to your webspace to follow results - not just footy!

We are still tinkering a little bit, but this site is 99% structured now the way we hope to keep it.  We welcome your feedback on the new look.

Enjoy!