VAFA Umpires
How to join VAFA Umpiring
There has never been a better time to join VAFA Umpiring. Once you sign up with the VAFA, you will join a group of over 600 passionate and supportive umpires. You will learn the basics of umpiring, attend training to learn practical on field skills, and umpire games of football at clubs in your local area.
The VAFA is excited to open 2026 Umpire Registrations on Officials HQ.
To express your interest in joining VAFA umpires ahead of the 2026 season, please complete the EOI form here
New umpires are welcome to join the VAFA via this registration link: registration-afl.officialshq.com
We will then contact you with information about how to join in 2026 before the start of pre-season training in February.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to get in contact with us via: Stephen Privitera, VAFA Umpire Operations Manager. Email: [email protected]
Steps involved to become a VAFA Umpire
- Sign up as a VAFA Umpire
- Complete the Expression of Interest Form: JOIN VAFA UMPIRING
- Attend training on Monday or Wednesday at Elsternwick Park Oval, Glen Huntly Road, Brighton
- Be appointed to and umpire your first game for the VAFA
If you have any questions about how to join VAFA umpiring, please contact the VAFA’s Umpire Operations Manager, Stephen Privitera via email: [email protected]
Key Contacts
VAFA
- Umpire Operations Manager – Stephen Privitera ([email protected])
- Premier Field Umpire Coach – Owen Hinson
- Senior Field Umpire Coach – Lionel Katz
- Development Field Umpire Coach – Campbell Hymans & Ben Lefebvre
- Boundary Umpire Coach – Shaun Bourke
- Goal Umpire Coach – Cooper Macdonald
- Fitness Coach – Tom O’Connor
VAFAUA
- President – Michael Evans ([email protected])
- Secretary – Adrian Damen ([email protected])
- Treasurer – Dylan Shipperd
History of VAFA Umpires
The VAFA Umpires have been based at 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 the largest VAFA club.
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 best, most popular and welcoming league in all community football then the VAFA Umpires is a great place to start.
The VAFA currently has 28 former umpires officiating in the AFL and state league competitions.
Former VAFA Umpires on the AFL List;
Field
- Chris Donlon (2011 AFL GF Umpire)
- Leigh Fisher**
- Robert O’Gorman
- Nicholas Brown
- Simon Meredith (2012-14, 2016-17, 2020 AFL GF Umpire)
- Andre Gianfagna **
- Cameron Dore**
- Andrew Heffernan
- Brent Wallace**
**Promoted as part of AFL Player-Umpire Pathway
Boundary
- Damien Cusack (2017 AFL GF Umpire)
- Matthew Jenkinson
- Michael Saunders (2013 AFL GF Umpire)
- James Scully
Goal
- Matthew Dervan (2020 AFL GF Umpire)
- Steven Piperno (2018-20 AFL GF Umpire)
Former Umpires on the State League and associated competitions list;
Field
- Peter Bailes (AFLW Listed)
- Jacob Rockwell
- Josh Ball
Boundary
- Sam Beer
- Luke Myatt
- Adrian Pretoriuos (AFLW Listed)
- Jack Punshon
- Raushaan Seychell
Goal
- Tope Adepoyibi (AFLW Listed)
- Joe Dorrat-Thorpe
- Chris Doyle
- Jake Marnie
- Jack Stammers (AFLW Listed)
Connect with the VAFA
Latest News
More
VAFA announces Umpire Rising Star Award in honour of Ben Austin
The VAFA is proud to announce the creation of a new award recognising the best young talent in our umpiring ranks, with the perpetual ‘Ben Austin Umpire Rising Star Award’
VAFA Umpires wrap up Pre-Season club visits
As part of the VAFA’s Pre-Season Umpire Club Visit Program, a number of clubs had umpires attend training to officiate a match simulation. The 2026 aims of the program were
Complimentary Uniform for New VAFA Umpires
The VAFA is making it easier than ever to get started in umpiring in 2026, with a complimentary uniform offer for all newly registered VAFA umpires. New umpires will receive a
Become a VAFA Umpire in 2026! Pre-Season Training begins this week
VAFA Umpire Pre-Season Training gets underway on Wednesday 18th February, and we’re looking forward to welcoming all field, boundary and goal umpires back for the 2026 season. Whether you’re returning
VAFA Umpires earn promotion to VFL
The VAFA is proud to congratulate Patrick Sexton (Field), Jordan Gibson (Field) and Zane White (Boundary) on their promotion to the VFL State League umpiring panel for 2026. Earning a
2026 VAFA On-Field Rule Changes
The VAFA have introduced a number of rule changes across all competitions ahead of the 2026 season. The rule changes are in line with the AFL rule changes which were
VAFA and SMJFL Extend Umpire Partnership into 2026
The VAFA is pleased to announce the extension of its Umpire Partnership with the South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL) for the 2026 season. The partnership, which has played a
2026 VAFA umpire registrations open
As the Umpiring Group takes a well-deserved break during off season, the VAFA is excited to open 2026 Umpire Registrations on Officials HQ. Returning Umpires Returning umpires should log in
