The AFL's 'Umpiring Is Everyone's Business' campaign was launched this week in the lead up to this weekend's games.
The campaign aims to communicate the following messages:
1. Umpiring is everyone’s business – whether you are a
coach, player, parent, administrator, supporter, we all have a role to play in
creating positive match day environments. Your attitude and behaviour has a
direct impact on an umpire’s enjoyment of their role
2. Umpiring
is a significant issue for our game – the demand for umpires at community level
is not being met by the supply of umpire’s available (89% growth in
appointments, 13% growth in umpires) – if the current trend continues, the game
at community level will suffer.
3. There
is an annual umpiring turnover at community level of 20-25%. Recruitment is
difficult, but retention is the more significant challenge. The main reason for
this turnover and the challenge to recruit is the existence of poor match day
environments that are generated by players, coaches, administrators and
supporters (including parents). These environments consist of abuse and
intimidation towards umpires.
4. Umpiring
can often be a very difficult and challenging task and umpires do the job
because of their enjoyment and love for the game – when the match day
environment is poor their enjoyment deteriorates and this leads to eventual
drop-out.
AFL Victoria's Youth Girls program has a very close connection with the umpiring community. Victoria's most promising female umpires are part of the Youth Girls Academy; some of the western Youth Girls umpires are former Youth Girls players, and we currently have a number of Youth Girls players umpiring in the Victorian Women's Football League.
From this weekend, we are encouraging the following:
- COACHES and CAPTAINS shake hands with the umpires
AT THE COIN TOSS and at the END OF THE GAME
Just like coaches, team managers, water runners and the myriad of non-playing participants in our game, umpires are vital in ensuring we can play each weekend. AFL Victoria thanks all our umpires and the umpiring who support the Youth Girls competitions.
Last Modified on 14/05/2010 16:30