Thanks Ump Round

Local AFL leagues will this week take part in Thanks Ump Round to support umpires at the community level of the game.

Thanks Ump Round encourages everyone involved in Australian Football – coaches, players, administrators, parents and supporters – to play a role in creating a positive match day environment to retain and recruit umpires.

At the community level, a welcoming environment ensures umpires feel supported to officiate to the best of their ability. Often umpires are lost to the game due to the reception and abuse they receive from spectators and fans at matches.

Thanks Ump Round will include a number of local initiatives by leagues that will help improve the overall umpiring experience. At the AFL level, this will be extended with all club coaches shaking hands with the umpires prior to the opening bounce of each match. 

Sydney Swans coach John Longmire said everyone can play a role in retaining umpires and encouraging people to give umpiring a go. 

“Thanks Ump Round is a fantastic opportunity for all coaches, administrators, supporters and volunteers to work in a positive and constructive way with umpires,” Longmire said.

“Everyone has a responsibility to ensure umpires have an environment to perform at their peak – much like players do.

“Currently, there is a shortage of umpires around the country and there’s no doubt that clubs, coaches, and players should respect the role of the umpire because without them there is no game.

“This round is a fantastic initiative to show people that umpiring is a great sport to take up and that it is everyone’s business to ensure we recruit and retain umpires through our actions on match day.”

Anecdotal evidence is suggesting that the match day environment for umpires at community football is beginning to improve. 

In 2010, the number of umpires in NSW/ACT increased by 12.5% to a record 1000 umpires, assisted by 49 coaches and mentors. The aim is to double that to 2000 umpires by the end of 2015 which means a 15% growth each season.

With participation rates booming across the country, the number of umpires needs to increase in order to meet the demand for the game.

GWS GIANTS coach Kevin Sheedy said Thanks Ump Round is a great initiative by the AFL.

“Since I first started playing AFL in 1967, the attitudes towards umpires and the respect for their contribution to the game has really improved,” Sheedy said.

“We’re in a great position now that the relationship between umpires and coaches, players and fans is better than ever.

“Thanks Ump Round is the perfect way to say thanks to the men and women who officiate our game each and every week.

“It is also a great time to pick up the whistle and try umpiring for anyone who wants to get fit, have fun and earn some money on the side.”

A number of umpires around the country will also be wearing green shirts throughout the year to communicate to people that they are learning the game and need to be encouraged and supported.     

Everyone can play a role in creating a positive match day environment to ensure umpires, coaches, players and volunteers perform at their peak.

There are a number of opportunities to become an umpire this year, please click here and contact your closest umpiring coordinator.