Umpiring concerns

[FOURTH ESTATE]

There seems to be a major problem with umpiring at the moment.
For the least few years the SANFL supplied and paid for an umpires coach.
This year they reallocated the money elsewhere and we had to find our own who is only 0.3 time wise compared to fulltime as previous years.

On average there is up to 25 field umpires unavaliable every weekend.

Two weeks ago a boundary failed to show up to our U18 match at home which resulted in our Team Manager who is in his mid to late 30's having to run the boundary. As a result he collapsed and suffered a slight possible heart attack. Spoke with the gentlemen concerned after the game and during the week and he is okay.

Last Saturday no boundary umpires showed up for the D1 Reserves game which left the club having to find replacements 10 minutes before the game started. Previously the clubs used to supply their own boundary & goal umpires for this grade knowing that they had people to cover the job on the day.

Field umpires in B grade games are also cause of concern with some doing double duty at other grounds later and wanting B grade games to start at 12.00 instead of 12.15 so they can get to the A Grade games and wanting all team sheets corrected before the game which is normally not done until after the game.

The age of umpires is a worry as well as we don't seem to be blooding any new ones. The combined age to two field umpires in one of our recent A Grade games was 100+ and the B Grade game 130+

Maybe this should be a pririoty for the CEO or are other things taking a higher priority at the moment?

[thewowfactor]

well may be a matter of talking to the umpires coach and giving him the feedback.
I think a lot of it comes down to supply and letting people know if they dont turn up etc and sorting out any teething problems.
Like most of the issues in the league, its a matter of working together and staying positive.

[X Runna]

There seems to be a major problem with umpiring at the moment.
For the least few years the SANFL supplied and paid for an umpires coach.
This year they reallocated the money elsewhere and we had to find our own who is only 0.3 time wise compared to fulltime as previous years.

On average there is up to 25 field umpires unavaliable every weekend.

Two weeks ago a boundary failed to show up to our U18 match at home which resulted in our Team Manager who is in his mid to late 30's having to run the boundary. As a result he collapsed and suffered a slight possible heart attack. Spoke with the gentlemen concerned after the game and during the week and he is okay.

Last Saturday no boundary umpires showed up for the D1 Reserves game which left the club having to find replacements 10 minutes before the game started. Previously the clubs used to supply their own boundary & goal umpires for this grade knowing that they had people to cover the job on the day.

Field umpires in B grade games are also cause of concern with some doing double duty at other grounds later and wanting B grade games to start at 12.00 instead of 12.15 so they can get to the A Grade games and wanting all team sheets corrected before the game which is normally not done until after the game.

The age of umpires is a worry as well as we don't seem to be blooding any new ones. The combined age to two field umpires in one of our recent A Grade games was 100+ and the B Grade game 130+

Maybe this should be a pririoty for the CEO or are other things taking a higher priority at the moment?

Perhaps they could have an umpires academy...

[Jabber]

Before i start let me just say im 29 and was an saafl umpire a few years ago and now just do a bit of club umpiring here and there.

I read your comments and completely see your point, and the issue regarding umpiring, and not blooding any new ones. The main issue is this as I see it: Who'd want to be an umpire? There is absolutely no incentive to do it. The pay is shit for what your are really required to do, and then you just get abused by all and sundry on field and off every time you make a decision. $120bucks to run around for 2 hours and get abusued? Not for me anymore!

Some guys are just trying to umpire, 99% are impartial in A Grade levels and have no affiliation with the clubs they are umpiring. But are quite often touted as cheats from the sidelines when a decision doesnt go thier clubs way. And some guys might simply be not all that good at it, but they are labelled as cheats, told to **** off etc, why would they want to keep doing it?

You just have to read on here there would be pages upon pages upon pages about how 'the umpiring cost us the match' or 'gee the umpiring was shit today'. The truth is if your team made the same amount of mistakes as the umpire did then your team would probably have won by plenty! So why would anyone want to put themselves through it??

The main issue maybe isn't the fact that the umpire's havent got the full time coaches etc, maybe we should look at some of the real reasons nobody wants to umpire which is all the slander and sledging that they get and clean that up first.

[thewowfactor]

jabber

[The Riddler]

well may be a matter of talking to the umpires coach and giving him the feedback.
I think a lot of it comes down to supply and letting people know if they dont turn up etc and sorting out any teething problems.
Like most of the issues in the league, its a matter of working together and staying positive.

Done that 2 weeks ago and still waiting for a response

[thewowfactor]

no call back?

[The Riddler]

no call back?

Sent an email with a detailed letter

[thewowfactor]

well thats not great, id follow it up though as thats all you can do

[locky801]

There seems to be a major problem with umpiring at the moment.

The combined age to two field umpires in one of our recent B Grade game 130+

And I thought it was one of the best umpiring performances I have seen in 5 years

[Footy Smart]

Our umpires on the weekend, which we have had a few times this season were very good on Saturday. They didnt ping things for the sake of it and they are both in there Mid to late 20's. We had 2 older umpires the week before and they gave a few 'home team' decisions. All in all i think Div 2's standard hasnt been that bad.

[Bold Strategy]

can someone please teach the umpires the ruck rules!! I see our ruckmen get blocked off the ball etc, and he will get a free kick against him!! What does the umpire coach actually do? does he ever watch any matches?

[NO-MERCY]

can someone please teach the umpires the ruck rules!! I see our ruckmen get blocked off the ball etc, and he will get a free kick against him!! What does the umpire coach actually do? does he ever watch any matches?

He certainly doesn't listen to feedback from coaches i can guarantee you that.
If their not out there watching games why don't they communicate with coaches from clubs, theirs plenty of experienced ex players coaching that know alot more than some of those at Amateur house, umpires coach included!!
Thats the problem though they can't take any constructive criticism & they get their noses out of joint.

[Demon Juke]

I notice there is a umpire's report form again, to comment on umpire's. The other week one of field umpire's vs Lockley's didn't turn up at all, I no the Lockley's rang to find out what was going on, only to received a phone call back at about 5.00pm!! Lucky both clubs had made arrangment's
instead of waiting for the phone call!!

[piccachu]

i know this is a touch off topic, but i went to watch a family friend of mine play in u/13s game for Port Magpies and right in front of me there was an incident were the Port lad had his head over the footy standing flat footed, a centrals lad was running towards him head on and collected his head, the port lad fell backwards and had a bit of a sore neck ( if it were the AFL probably would have got 3-4 weeks) what was so amazing and concerning was the centrals player was awarded the free kick, the centrals lad wasnt trying to cause harm was just a touch clumsy but the point of protecting the kids head should be the main concern, i really dont know how the Centrals lad got the free kick, Please tell me umpires like this will not be umpiring senior footy soon because there will be riots

[Jetters]

How many of the people commenting on here have done much umpiring themselves?
If the umpire's coach, as someone said, is only 0.3 what do you expect him to do?? And if an umpire pulls out at the last minute there is probably no alternative umpire or it is too late to organise one, subsequently the position goes unfilled.
Too many people expect professional standard umpiring in their amateur match.
This doesn't change how frustrating it is when it doesn't go your way, but if you play average football you will get average umpiring.

The biggest issue I have found with umpires is that those who would do the best job and understand the game are themselves players and therefore unable to umpire. And when these people retire from football they then support their club rather than umpire.
The overwhelming majority of youngsters who pursue umpiring also have not played much football (otherwise they would be unavailable to umpire due to playing commitments) and lack a feel for the game.
Unfortunately the number 1 requirement of an umpire progressing through the junior umpiring ranks is pace and fitness, with an understanding of the game coming way, way, way down the list. In my opinion this is why a lot of young umpires make decisions experienced football people are mind blown by.

In order for umpiring to improve generally there needs to be more resources dedicated to it. More $$ for coaches to educate umpires and as Jabber said more incentives ($$$) for umpires to umpire. This will attract better people to these positions and allow them to do their jobs more professionally.

[aceman]

How many of the people commenting on here have done much umpiring themselves?
If the umpire's coach, as someone said, is only 0.3 what do you expect him to do?? And if an umpire pulls out at the last minute there is probably no alternative umpire or it is too late to organise one, subsequently the position goes unfilled.
Too many people expect professional standard umpiring in their amateur match.
This doesn't change how frustrating it is when it doesn't go your way, but if you play average football you will get average umpiring.

The biggest issue I have found with umpires is that those who would do the best job and understand the game are themselves players and therefore unable to umpire. And when these people retire from football they then support their club rather than umpire.
The overwhelming majority of youngsters who pursue umpiring also have not played much football (otherwise they would be unavailable to umpire due to playing commitments) and lack a feel for the game.
Unfortunately the number 1 requirement of an umpire progressing through the junior umpiring ranks is pace and fitness, with an understanding of the game coming way, way, way down the list. In my opinion this is why a lot of young umpires make decisions experienced football people are mind blown by.

In order for umpiring to improve generally there needs to be more resources dedicated to it. More $$ for coaches to educate umpires and as Jabber said more incentives ($$$) for umpires to umpire. This will attract better people to these positions and allow them to do their jobs more professionally.

Therein lies the problem. Most kids are normally reasonably fit so the most important aspect to teach them after the laws & interpretation of those rules is to get a feel for what is happening. Much easier if you've played but surely understanding some of the frustrations in the game is a priority to be taught to young umpires. Don't disagree with anything else you've written, but if something isn't done soon, we'll all be looking for a new past time.

[BenchedEagle]

Ive just started thinking about umpiring, What actually is the pay throughout the grades?

[The Ash Man]

Ive just started thinking about umpiring, What actually is the pay throughout the grades?

http://saafl.asn.au/files/uploads/umpir ... 202011.pdf

[BenchedEagle]

Ive just started thinking about umpiring, What actually is the pay throughout the grades?

http://saafl.asn.au/files/uploads/umpir ... 202011.pdf

cheers.