VAFA Umpire Registrations hit the 600 milestone during Umpiring Round

Round 9 on Saturday 14 June is a significant occasion as the VAFA community celebrates Umpiring Round. In exciting news, umpire registrations for 2025 have increased significantly over the past 4 years with over 600 registered league umpires now signed up. This special milestone is the result of consistent investment and resourcing into the Umpiring Program over a number of years. These results have been achieved through strong junior programs, school courses and innovative umpire marketing campaigns.

On this special weekend, clubs and the broader community are encouraged to celebrate the crucial role that umpires play in our competition. Clubs can show their support of the Umpiring group by acknowledging their role on game day, shaking hands with umpires before and after games and inviting umpires into club rooms for the post-match presentations. Clubs are also encouraged to share images of umpires on social media throughout the week. Whilst it’s an ideal time to recognise the 600 registered league umpires, it’s also vital to highlight the significant contribution of club umpires who volunteer their time each week.

Umpire Coaching

The VAFA has invested significantly in umpire retention and coaching. This approach is aligned with the VAFA’s strategic plan priorities to develop a best practice umpire environment that offers pathways to the State Leagues. Female Umpiring is also a key focus with the VAFA Female Umpire Academy launching at the start of the season. The coaching panel has been expanded in 2025 and features high calibre coaches that have VFL experience. It is a priority that our umpires receive the best level of coaching available. We thank the below coaches for their hard work and dedication this season:

Field Discipline Lead – Owen Hinson

Senior Field Coach – Lionel Katz

Accelerator Field Coach – Campbell Hymans

Development Field Coach – Ben Lefebvre

Assistant Field Coach – Michael Gough

Boundary Discipline Lead – Shaun Bourke

Boundary Assistant Coach – Matthew Gough

Boundary Assistant Coach – Julia Stokes

Goal Discipline Lead – Cooper MacDonald

Goal Assistant Coach – Adrian Keane

Goal Assistant Coach – Graham Templar

Fitness Coach and Physio – Tom O’Connor

Strength/Conditioning Coach – Will Tobin                                      

Assistant Fitness Coach – Aiden McDonald

Umpire Training and Development

The Umpiring group has been preparing for the start of the season since February. Pre-season featured a large focus on fitness and conditioning to ensure umpires were ready to run out games from round 1. During the season, training takes place at Elsternwick Park on Monday and Wednesday nights. Umpires split up into individual squads to ensure they can receive tailored coaching and feedback on their performance from the weekend’s game. This includes regular on field skills training and video analysis. The VAFA has also established mutually beneficial partnerships with junior leagues. These programs ensure that junior umpires can progress into the VAFA competition once they are ready to officiate senior football.

Umpire Promotion- State League

As umpires are acknowledged during VAFA Umpiring Round, it’s important to recognise a talented umpire who have recently been promoted to the VFL. The VAFA continues its reputation as the leading competition for umpiring talent with the exciting promotion of Angus Bunker Smith, one of the VAFA’s standout field umpires. This significant milestone is a moment worth celebrating for Angus and the entire VAFA community.

How to become a VAFA Umpire

The VAFA is focused on increasing the number of umpires appointed each week across the competition. This round not only celebrates the contribution of umpires but also seeks to encourage more people to consider becoming an umpire. We need more umpires for Reserves and Thirds football and there are still opportunities for interested individuals to get involved before the start of finals. Umpiring offers an opportunity to stay involved in our competition, give back to our game, increase your fitness and get paid. Click Here for further information on how to become a league appointed umpire.  

The VAFA wishes all VAFA and Club Umpires the best for this Umpiring Round, enjoy your games, run well and thank you for your service to our Association.