Umpires across Queensland now have even more reason to get involved and stay engaged, with AFL Queensland officially launching the Four Quarter Challenge — a season-long initiative designed to reward commitment, connection and contribution to the game.
Open to all registered umpires, the Four Quarter Challenge encourages participants to earn points through weekly engagement, with points tallied both individually and by region. Leaderboards will be updated throughout the season, creating a fun and rewarding competition across the state.
The region with the highest total at the end of the season will enjoy a fully catered training night celebration, featuring special guests from the AFL and umpiring community. Meanwhile, the top-performing individual umpire will win an exclusive Brisbane Lions or Gold Coast SUNS prize, a match day experience for them and six friends and a special role in the QAFL Grand Final Presentations.
How to Earn Points:
Points are earned through a tiered system based on engagement, attendance, initiative, and leadership:
🔹 Tier 1 – 1 Point Each
- Attend a league training session (Maroochydore, Brendale, Zillmere, Moorooka or Labrador) – Max 1 point per week
- A simple QR code will be available to register attendance on arrival.
- Complete 100% of your Match Day Paperwork for the week (submitted in full before 11:59pm Sunday night)
- Submit a story via the ‘Stories From the Field’ Cognito Form
- Accept or decline your match appointments without needing to be followed up by umpire coaches or AFLQ Umpiring Department
- Update your availability in OfficialsHQ by 6pm Sunday night for the following weekend
🔹 Tier 2 – 3 Points Each
- Attend a combined league training session
- Attend a monthly compulsory SEQJ training session (Maroochydore, Brendale, Moorooka or Labrador)
- Share an AFLQ Umpiring social media post – Max 6 points per week
- Must tag AFLQ Umpiring in the post
🔹 Tier 3 – 5 Points Each
- Must tag AFLQ Umpiring in the post
- Be nominated by a coach for outstanding engagement and participation at training
- Each coach may nominate one person per week (non-compulsory)
- Run or assist with a community appearance
- Includes League Run Umpire4Fun Training, Come & Try Days, School Holiday Camps, or school sessions
🔹 Tier 4 – 20 Points
- Includes League Run Umpire4Fun Training, Come & Try Days, School Holiday Camps, or school sessions
- Refer a friend to umpiring
- Referred umpire must register in OfficialsHQ and umpire a game in any discipline
- Must not have been registered in the current season (past umpires returning to the game are eligible)
“It’s a bit of fun, but it also encourages teamwork, consistency and leadership,” said Nicola Stevens (Umpiring Development Coordinator). “You don’t have to be the fastest or most experienced — you just have to get involved.”
AFL Queensland continues to support umpires at all levels of the game with education workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and development pathways.
For players, sports lovers, and community leaders looking for a new challenge, umpiring offers a paid, flexible way to stay in the game — and now, a chance to compete for state-wide bragging rights.
To get involved or find out more, visit: play.afl/umpire