A simple idea is creating new opportunities in Australian rules football, with AFL Queensland’s modified goal umpire flag initiative helping North Queensland umpire Simone Carlyon pursue her passion for officiating.
AFL Queensland staff and volunteers identified a barrier preventing Simone from undertaking traditional goal umpiring duties, due to her inability to hold two flags.
Rather than allowing this to become a limitation to participate, a creative solution was explored, resulting in the introduction of a modified flag system that enables Simone to perform the role effectively while maintaining the integrity of officiating.
Simone uses the traditional white goal flag to indicate that a point is scored while the modified pink goal flag, a colour chosen by Simone herself, is used to signify a goal.
For Simone, the opportunity to become an umpire was something she had wanted to pursue and while stepping onto the field as a goal umpire for the first time came with some nerves, she quickly found her confidence.
"It was nerve-racking, but I managed to get through it and it got easier as I goal umpired more games," she said.
The low-cost innovation has not only enabled Simone to begin her officiating journey, but also given her confidence that a future in umpiring is possible.
"I hope to be umpiring the AFLW Grand Final one day," she said.
Everyone should be able to love and connect with Australia’s game and this initiative has helped make that possible for Simone.
What began as a simple modification to a goal umpire flag has opened the door to a new football pathway, while providing a practical example of how inclusive thinking can remove barriers and create opportunities for participation across community sport.