COVID-19

[Trader]

Interesting to hear Kernahs on the Hooked On Sport podcast this morning.

https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=663679

The key takeaways I got from it:

JK is backing away from the July 4 re-start.
Salary cap will be reduced from 2019 levels.
Play will not commence without spectators.

[The Bedge]

People seem to forget there is more to playing sports than just winning flags or gaining promotion.

The social aspect, the enjoyment of the game, good for mental health, fitness, mates.. after being locked away and separated from mates I think people are keen just to get around the boys again.

Also this short season excuse is stupid, every year I see so many players across the board that lack commitment and will manipulate to play the bare minimum games just to qualify for finals

I would be interested in seeing the numbers for players who play 10+ games compared to 9 or under.

Most of the resistance I’ve seen from people I’ve spoken to has come from people who don’t play the game or whose playing is minimal anyway.

[locky801]

Heard from a Senior Field umpire today they have been asked to accept a $50.00 payment only per game for umpiring Div 1 and Div 1 Res if the season takes off

[Dutchy]

A 9 game season actual might appeal to a few of the older blokes who maybe retired last year or those that were waivering.

[Q.]

People seem to forget there is more to playing sports than just winning flags or gaining promotion.

The social aspect, the enjoyment of the game, good for mental health, fitness, mates.. after being locked away and separated from mates I think people are keen just to get around the boys again.

Also this short season excuse is stupid, every year I see so many players across the board that lack commitment and will manipulate to play the bare minimum games just to qualify for finals

I would be interested in seeing the numbers for players who play 10+ games compared to 9 or under.

Most of the resistance I’ve seen from people I’ve spoken to has come from people who don’t play the game or whose playing is minimal anyway.

Agree mate, it is just so good for the mental health to be able to get out, have a kick and enjoy a bit of banter with our group of ten at the moment.

[Q.]

A 9 game season actual might appeal to a few of the older blokes who maybe retired last year or those that were waivering.

My body feels young again with this very extended break from match day rigors

[Trader]

Heard from a Senior Field umpire today they have been asked to accept a $50.00 payment only per game for umpiring Div 1 and Div 1 Res if the season takes off

Not sure I understand the logic of umpires having to take a pay cut here.
Don't get me wrong, I get that there are plenty of people who think umpires are overpaid for the average service they provide already, but paying them less isn't going to encourage the good ones to stick around.

Last year a good umpire would have got 18 games at $100 a go, for $1800.
Now they are only going to get 9 games at $50 a hit, for $450.

I get that we all have to share the pain so to speak, but their wage has already been cut in half based on the number of games, they shouldn't be asked to take a further paycut in my opinion.

I don't buy the argument that the clubs need the assistance. Club's costs have already been cut in half through the reduction in games, add to that the reduction (or complete removal) in player payments. For some clubs, there will be an improved financial position. I get that many sponsors will be hard hit, but most are still chipping in between 50 and 70% of their initial commitment, and those that paid before covid hit have put in their full amount.

Even if you buy the narrative that clubs are struggling, we are talking about clubs with turnovers in the neighbourhood of $200k per season. Is the $450 this saves clubs really going to help that much?

For mine it makes next to bugger all difference for the clubs, but hurts the umpires disproportionally, and will potentially lead to a lower standard of umpiring within the competition.

[locky801]

Heard from a Senior Field umpire today they have been asked to accept a $50.00 payment only per game for umpiring Div 1 and Div 1 Res if the season takes off

Not sure I understand the logic of umpires having to take a pay cut here.
Don't get me wrong, I get that there are plenty of people who think umpires are overpaid for the average service they provide already, but paying them less isn't going to encourage the good ones to stick around.

Last year a good umpire would have got 18 games at $100 a go, for $1800.
Now they are only going to get 9 games at $50 a hit, for $450.

I get that we all have to share the pain so to speak, but their wage has already been cut in half based on the number of games, they shouldn't be asked to take a further paycut in my opinion.

I don't buy the argument that the clubs need the assistance. Club's costs have already been cut in half through the reduction in games, add to that the reduction (or complete removal) in player payments. For some clubs, there will be an improved financial position. I get that many sponsors will be hard hit, but most are still chipping in between 50 and 70% of their initial commitment, and those that paid before covid hit have put in their full amount.

Even if you buy the narrative that clubs are struggling, we are talking about clubs with turnovers in the neighbourhood of $200k per season. Is the $450 this saves clubs really going to help that much?

For mine it makes next to bugger all difference for the clubs, but hurts the umpires disproportionally, and will potentially lead to a lower standard of umpiring within the competition.

Also dont forget how much Clubs would have saved on electricity with no bars being open and with no training would have saved substantially on lights not being on

[Footy Chick]

Heard from a Senior Field umpire today they have been asked to accept a $50.00 payment only per game for umpiring Div 1 and Div 1 Res if the season takes off

Clean your ears out Locky, it's 50% not $50

so a D1 ump that normally gets $200 per game, with the 50% pay cut for 2020, is still going to get $100 per game

[The Bedge]

50% pay cut is terrible.. any Umpire pay cut is terrible.

[Footy Chick]

50% pay cut is terrible.. any Umpire pay cut is terrible.

Why? Everyone is taking a cut or not getting paid at all

[Trader]

50% pay cut is terrible.. any Umpire pay cut is terrible.

Why? Everyone is taking a cut or not getting paid at all

They've already had their season pay cut in half.

Are the league charging 25% affiliation fees this season? I'd assume not.

[scottroo]

Watch this space

[The Bedge]

.

[ThinkVision]

What percentage of players get paid anyways? Surely 66%(Bs + Cs) are paying for free anyways, maybe even up to 75% if you count in fringe A graders and clubs that only pay their top 5 if any at all.

[daysofourlives]

50% pay cut is terrible.. any Umpire pay cut is terrible.

Totally agree, they are essentially volunteers who get a bit of money and should be looked after, without them there is no game.
If it was such a good job and such good pay there wouldnt be a shortage of umpires.

[locky801]

Heard from a Senior Field umpire today they have been asked to accept a $50.00 payment only per game for umpiring Div 1 and Div 1 Res if the season takes off

Clean your ears out Locky, it's 50% not $50

so a D1 ump that normally gets $200 per game, with the 50% pay cut for 2020, is still going to get $100 per game

you were involved in the conversation were you he quite clearly said why would i go out and umpire for 50 bucks

[Jimmy_041]

Letter from the Umpires Association:

29/05/2020 To Club Presidents, Secretaries and Board Members Right from the outset of the COVID outbreak, it was obvious the financial and social ramifications throughout all pillars of society would be significant and football would not be any less impacted. During this time, the Umpires Association has sought and taken notice of advice and positions of like organisations along with members of the umpiring fraternity. Our position has been influenced by the expectation that all community based footballers’ in South Australia, including SANFL will not receive any remuneration in 2020 and SANFL Umpires are in the process of agreeing to a significant reduction in their umpiring fees for 2020. Taking these and other ideas into account, the Umpires Association came to the conclusion that we would recommend to the Adelaide Footy League umpire fees be set at a 50% reduction for 2020. For all the stated reasons, the Umpires Association along with all its members feel that this a responsible and ethical position given all the circumstances that have arisen. On behalf of the AdFL Umpires, we wish all clubs the very best for the upcoming 2020 season, in whatever form it takes and we look forward to getting out on the park as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely
Ian Gore
President AdFL Umpires Association

[Brodlach]

Well done to the umpire fraternity

[Dutchy]

Very sensible and fair approach, well done.