VAFA celebrates Community Umpire Round this weekend

Between Rounds 8 and 9 of the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, the AFL is recognising the important role that Community Umpires play in our great game.

The VAFA are celebrating Community Umpiring Week this weekend, in round 6, with the aim of encouraging people to get involved in umpiring at the VAFA.

Throughout this week, the AFL are joining forces with local football competitions through a number of initiatives. For the VAFA, on Wednesday night at Elsternwick Park we will welcome the following four umpires to training ahead of the upcoming round.

• Simon Meredith (AFL field umpire)
• Chris Donlon (AFL field umpire)
• Patrick Cran (AFL boundary umpire)
• Michael Saunders (AFL boundary umpire)

We encourage all umpires to attend training on Wednesday night to participate in drills run by the AFL umpires as well as having the chance to participate in a Q and A post training.

Simon (member of the VAFA in 1989), Chris (1994) and Michael (2004) all began their umpiring journey in the VAFA going on to higher honours in the AFL achieving monumental milestones along the way, further underlining the pathway and connection the VAFA has with the top tier of Australian rules football.

Across the country, leagues and clubs will celebrate their local umpires with various initiatives and activations.

Community Umpiring Development Manager, Brenton Sanderson said with more than 1.4 million people playing Australian Football, umpire numbers have never been more important.

“There are over 15,000 umpires officiating in community football matches each week and over 12% are female, a significant increase in line with the expansion of female football”, he said.

“Community Umpiring Round is designed to increase awareness of umpiring as an additional activity to playing or choosing umpiring as a sport of choice as an alternative way to participate in the game.

“Over 94% of umpires currently play or have played junior football. You can play and umpire on the same day or on alternate days. It is a great way to keep fit, earn money, develop life skills and make life-long friends.”

For more information or to register your interest in umpiring at the VAFA click here.