Following a hugely successful debut in 2025, AFL Queensland is proud to re-launch the Four Quarter Challenge for the 2026 season, giving umpires across the state even more reason to stay engaged as the SEQJ season gets underway.
The Four Quarter Challenge is a season-long initiative designed to reward commitment, connection and contribution to umpiring. Open to all registered umpires, the challenge encourages weekly engagement and friendly competition, with points tracked both individually and by region. Leaderboards will be updated throughout the season, keeping the motivation high from Round 1 through to finals.
At season’s end, the region with the highest total points will enjoy a fully catered training night celebration, featuring special guests from the AFL and broader umpiring community. The top-performing individual umpire will also take home an unforgettable prize — an exclusive Brisbane Lions or Gold Coast SUNS match-day experience for themselves and six friends, plus a special role in the QAFL Grand Final Presentations.
What’s New in 2026?
There have been some important changes to how points are earned this season, so umpires are encouraged to pay close attention to the updated criteria below to make sure their efforts count.
How to Earn Points
Points are earned through a tiered system that recognises engagement, reliability, initiative and leadership throughout the season.
🔹 Tier 1 – 1 Point Each
- Attend a league training session (Maroochydore, Kedron, Zillmere, Yeronga or Labrador)
- Maximum of one point allocation per week
- Attendance must be marked in Rookie Me Connect to be eligible for points
- Complete 100% of your Match Day Paperwork for the week
- Submitted in full by 11:59pm Sunday night
- Submit a story via the Stories From the Field Cognito Form:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/AFLQueensland/StoriesFromTheField - Accept or decline match appointments without follow-up from umpire coaches or the AFLQ Umpiring Department
- Update your availability in OfficialsHQ by 6pm Sunday night for the following weekend
🔹 Tier 2 – 5 Points Each
- 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, including:
- League-run Umpire4Fun training
- Come & Try Days
- School Holiday Camps
- School sessions
- Attend a combined league training session
🔹 Tier 3 – 20 Points
- Refer a friend to umpiring
- The referred umpire must register in OfficialsHQ and umpire a game in any discipline
- They must not have been registered earlier in the current season
- Past umpires returning to the game are eligible
2025 Four Quarter Challenge winner Anthony Little said the initiative added an extra layer of excitement to the season.
“It was great to compete with my friends and see the points jump up each month — that made it really exciting,” Little said. “Getting to meet the AFL umpires at the Gabba was a huge highlight and something I’ll never forget.”
AFL Queensland continues to support umpires at all levels through education workshops, one-on-one mentoring and clear development pathways.
For players, sports lovers and community leaders looking for a new challenge, umpiring offers a paid, flexible way to stay involved in the game — with the added incentive of rewarding those who turn up, get involved and give back across the entire season.
To get involved or find out more, visit: play.afl/umpire