Queensland umpires were treated with a visit from elite AFL field umpires Curtis Deboy, Nick Foot and Brendan Hosking earlier this month at an umpiring training session.
The trio have more than 500 games of AFL experience between them and they took part in drills and shared their knowledge and experience in a Q&A session.
The session offered grassroots umpires a rare and valuable opportunity to ask questions about life at the elite level. Everything from managing game loads and adapting to the four-umpire system, to how AFL umpires balance the demands of travel, full-time work and family life.
Amongst the group there was strong interest in how AFL umpires build rapport with players, manage difficult game moments and stay composed under pressure. The visiting umpires shared personal stories from tough games and reinforced that even at the highest level, mistakes happen. Perhaps most importantly, the AFL umpires spoke about the value of a strong culture - supporting each other, self-reflection and communication.
The group appreciated the down-to-earth advice on career progression, training and personal development. Tips on positioning, communication and how to get the most out of training drills were also discussed, with plenty of takeaways for umpires at all levels. When asked what advice he’d offer to new umpires, Curtis Deboy said, "back yourself and trust your coaches and mentors."
The stories and insights shared by the AFL umpires left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. They articulated that there's more to umpiring than blowing a whistle - it's about growth, teamwork and resilience. It was a great reminder to all of why they love being part of Team Green.
More from Curtis Deboy: New Laws of the Game Videos
Curtis Deboy has also teamed up with the AFL to help bring greater clarity to three key rule interpretations, including a reinforcement of the existing prior opportunity law. The AFL recently distributed a series of short videos to clubs, with Curtis providing the voice-over explanations to support consistency in understanding and applying the laws of the game. These resources offer umpires and clubs a valuable reference point as the season unfolds. Watch here.
