Football Umpiring Melbourne

How to join VAFA Umpiring

The start of the 2024 football season is fast approaching and the VAFA is now recruiting new Boundary, Field and Goal umpires. There has never been a better time to join VAFA Umpiring, with a large number of games requiring umpires each weekend.

Once you sign up with the VAFA, you will join a group of over 450 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.

Steps involved to become a VAFA Umpire

Sign up as a VAFA Umpire via OfficialsHQ Registration. A video registration guide can be viewed here.
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 – Guy Hexter
Boundary Umpire Coach – Shaun Bourke
Goal Umpire Coach – Bernie Jephson
Fitness Coach – Tom O’Connor

VAFAUA

President – Benjamin McWiggin
Vice President – Hugo Burstin
Secretary – Thomas Masters
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)

VAFA Umpires – The Best Place to Umpire

VAFA Launches Umpire Academy Program at Ivanhoe Grammar School

VAFA umpires visit clubs during pre-season

Half of VFL umpire promotions from the VAFA

Umpire in the VAFA in 2024

VAFA Umpires star at V/Line Cup Carnival

VAFA Father-Daughter Umpiring Teams

VAFA Women’s Player to Umpire Night

VAFA Recognises Community Umpiring Week

VAFA and YJFL Umpires partner for the 2023 season

VAFA Boundary Umpires to be coached by VFL listed Umpires