IT’S COMMUNITY UMPIRE WEEK
This week celebrates the incredible contribution of community umpires across the game.
Their dedication, passion and commitment are at the heart of every match, ensuring the game is played fairly, safely and with respect. From local grounds to higher levels of competition, umpires play a vital role in shaping the experience for players, coaches and communities alike.
Football simply wouldn’t happen without them, and this week is an opportunity to recognise and thank them for the impact they make every time they take the field.
JOIN US THIS WEEK FOR SOME EXCITING INITIATIVES:
- AFL umpires, commentators and media will attend local umpire training sessions
- AFL umpires and players will officiate local footy matches
- AFL umpires will be led onto the ground during AFL games by community umpires - Find out where to support your fellow community umpires at this week’s AFL games below:
Outer East FNL / Yarra Ranges Umpires Assoc: Carlton vs Collingwood, MCG, VIC, Thursday 16 April, 7:30pm
Western Districts Umpires Assoc: Geelong vs Western Bulldogs, GMHBA, VIC, Friday 17 April, 7:20pm
AFL South East / Southern Umpires Assoc: Geelong vs Western Bulldogs, GMHBA, VIC, Friday 17 April, 7:20pm
Sale Umpires Association: North Melbourne vs Richmond, MRVL, VIC, Sunday 19 April, 1:10pm
Border Umpires Group: Melbourne vs Brisbane, MCG, VIC, Sunday 19 April, 3:15pm
West Coast vs Fremantle, OPTUS, WA, Sunday 19 April, 3:10pm:
- West Perth
- Swan District
- Claremont
- Subiaco
- East Fremantle
- East Perth
AFL Sydney Juniors: Sydney Swans vs GWS Giants, SCG, NSW, Friday 17 April, 7:50pm
South East Queensland Juniors: Gold Coast vs Essendon, PFS, QLD, Saturday 18 April, 1:10pm
SANFL Juniors: Adelaide vs St Kilda AO, SA, Saturday 18 April, 7:05pm
North West Umpires Assoc and Northern Tasmania Football Umpires Assoc: Hawthorn vs Adelaide UTAS TAS, Thursday 21 May, 7:30pm
NTFL/NTFL Umpires Assoc: Gold Coast vs St Kilda, TIO, NT, Saturday 9 May, 6:40pm
What is umpiring?
Umpires are the eyes and ears of the footy field. Whether you’re in the field, boundary or goal, umpiring is a critical role. Umpiring provides an opportunity to be part of the game in a different way.
What to Expect
No matter the role, umpires train during the week and officiate on weekends together as a team. Fitness levels and experience can vary by position, but you can expect to be part of footy’s dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Boundary Umpires move along the boundary of the football field, judge whether the ball is out of bounds (or out of bounds on the full) and return the ball to play via a boundary throw in. Boundary umpires also assist the goal umpires in determining scoring shots.
Field Umpires officiate the play in line with the laws of the game and apply them within the spirit of the laws. They continually move around the football field following the play and position themselves side on at all times so that they can clearly observe the field of play.
Goal Umpires are positioned between the goal posts at each end of the field. They are responsible for judging whether a goal or behind has been scored, signaling that a score has been made and recording the score on their goal cards.
