Football Umpiring Melbourne

Careers and Training for Goal, Boundary and Field Football Umpires.

Commencing in 1892, the VAFA currently has over 13,000 registered players from 74 Clubs and stands as the largest senior community football competition in Australia. Much of the VAFA’s success depends on the umpires who ensure the integrity of the game and provide a forum where players’ skills, team dynamics, passion and dedication determine game outcomes.

For this reason, we like to provide potential umpires with as much information as possible prior to the commencement of their career. Read more to find out the benefits of becoming an umpire and how to register your interest.

I want to “Join the Club”.. what do I do?

Email Umpire Operations Manager, Haydn O’Connor at [email protected] or click the link at the top of the VAFA website which will ask for your contact details.

You will then receive a registration link, which will sign you up to the VAFA & the Umpire AFL List. This will automatically sign you up to Schedula, the appointment program where you will receive your game schedules.

If you are over the age of 18 it is compulsory to have a valid Working With Children Check –

www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/ This is free when choosing “Volunteer”. You cannot umpire in the VAFA if you don’t have a valid WWCC and are over the age of 18.

Training (commencing Monday 4th February 2019 unless stated otherwise)

Elsternwick Park – Monday (Partnership with SMJFL) & Wednesday 6.15pm onwards.

Westbourne Grammar – Wednesday 6pm onwards (Dates TBC)

Eastern Region – Monday (Partnership with Yarra JFL Dates – TBC) & Wednesday (Partnership with Yarra JFL Dates – TBC)

Payment

Umpiring is considered tax free under the ATO ruling and begin at $70 per game up to $157 depending on division of football officiated and discipline. Payment is received once a month, with bonuses for umpires who are selected for the VAFA FInals Series.

Who are our Umpires?

From youngsters who love footy and choose umpiring as a career to injured or retired players. Mothers and fathers of young umpires also participate and the VAFA are proud of the many families involved. The VAFA promotes respect for umpires at all times and encourages relationships between our officials and clubs. This includes the VAFA policy for any alcohol to be consumed by spectators or other parties during a VAFA match. This policy ensures that our games aren’t marred by alcohol-induced incidents.

The Club

The VAFAUA are a member club of the VAFA and will welcome all new and existing umpires with open arms at their base at Elsternwick Park. The enjoyment of being involved witha club and involved in football is a part of the culture. Friendships are forged that last a lifetime. An annual membership fee is deducted, with the VAFAUA running a social calendar and benefits for all umpires.

Uniforms

Uniforms are available from the VAFAUA and ordering instructions are found at www.vafaua.asn.au

Representative Umpires & Career Pathways

The VAFA are the leaders in providing the VFL & AFL with the best officials in the country, with the association having a Big V Umpires program, with selected umpires of all disciplines chosen to travel interstate when applicable with the Representative side. There are also opportunities to travel to destinations including Ireland as part of the VAFA Umpiring team.

VAFA

Head of Umpiring: Haydn O’Connor 0427 333 729 [email protected]

VAFA Umpires Association

President: Owen Hinson

Immediate Past President: Greg Rolfe 0401 734 993 [email protected]

The VAFA Umpires have been based at Sportscover Arena in Elsternwick Park since the VAFA moved their offices there in 1960.

The VAFA Umpires Association is the representative body of the VAFA Umpires and the Umpires together form one of the largest VAFA clubs.

The VAFA is always looking to sign up new umpires, so if you want to stay fit, keep involved in football and want to officiate in the most popular and welcoming league in all community football then the VAFA Umpires is a great place to start.

VAFA UMPIRES – AFL LIST

Jordan Bannister (Field) (2013 NAB Cup Grand Final Umpire), Chris Donlon (Field) (2011 AFL Grand Final Umpire), Leigh Fisher (Field) (Promoted in 2013 as part of the AFL’s player to umpire pathway), Simon Meredith (Field) (2012, 2013, 2014 AFL Grand Final Umpire), Robert O’Gorman (Field) (Promoted in 2014), Nick Brown (Field) (Promoted for 2015), Brent Wallace (Field) (Promoted for 2015), Matthew Jenkinson (Boundary), Damien Cusack (Boundary) (Promoted in 2014), James Scully (Boundary) (Promoted for 2015), Michael Saunders (Boundary) (2012/2013 NAB Cup Grand Final Umpire and 2013 AFL Grand Final Umpire) and Steve Piperno (Goal) (Promoted for 2015),

2018 AFL-Listed Umpires (VAFA)

Field: Nick Brown, Chris Donlon, Leigh Fisher*, Andre Gianfagna*, Simon Meredith, Robert O’Gorman, Brent Wallace*

Boundary: Matthew Jenkinson, Damien Cusack, James Scully, Michael Saunders.

Goal: Steve Piperno, Matthew Dervan.

*AFL Player to Umpire Pathway.

VAFA UMPIRES – VFL LIST

Joe Hartwig (Development Field), Ben Nicholson (Development Field), Matt Pryor (Development Field), Charlie Blanch (Development Boundary), Andrew Heffernan (Senior Field), Daniel Lawlor (Senior Field), Jarryd Barry (Senior Field), Ryan O’Shea (Senior Boundary), Matthew Dervan (Senior Goal), Chris Doyle (Senior Goal) and Anthony Kyrkou (Senior Goal).

2018 VFL-Listed Umpires

Field: Peter Bailes, Cameron Dore, Andrew Heffernan, Matthew Pryor, Jacob Rockwell, Josh Ball.

Boundary: David Park, Sam Beer, Adrian Pretorius, Jack Punshon, Raushaan Seychell.

Goal: Chris Doyle, Paddy Dwyer, Michael Driver, Antonio Valente, Tope Adepoyibi, Jake Marnie, Jack Stammers

VAFA Umpires – Football Umpiring in Melbourne

Careers and Training for Goal, Boundary and Field Football Umpires.

VAFA

VAFA Umpires Association

VAFA UMPIRES – AFL LIST

VAFA UMPIRES – VFL LIST

Steve Piperno & umpiring the AFL Grand Final

Tony Hales departs VAFA Umpires

Vale Ryan Robertson (1987-2020)

Sophie shares her passion for umpiring

VAFA’s Matt Dervan to umpire AFL Grand Final

Hannah’s history with umpiring

Women’s Umpiring Academy walking for mental health

Hayden Kennedy & the pressure of umpiring finals

O’Connor talks culture, relegation battles & GF Day

VAFA seeks Head of Training and Fitness – Umpiring