Umpires Provide Quality Environment for Participants
Thursday, 19th January 2012
By Clint Degebrodt
The saying ‘without umpires, we wouldn’t have a game’ is common in sport and particularly in Aussie Rules, but it’s not entirely true. There are always games going on in local parks, school grounds and even in the front yard, and they all happen without umpires. The umpire is far more than just a fixture or piece of equipment. The thing that umpires provide is care for the safety and well being of participants. Umpires keep the game fair, flowing and safe. A quality umpire ensures the enjoyment of the players and spectators. They themselves enjoy being a part of the game and contributing to the community as well.
During the footy preseason 2012 there are big things planned for our umpires in the Shire of Roebourne. There will be a green shirt program training umpires aged 13-17 to officiate in the WPJFA and in the NPFL. A parent umpire program will be initiated through the WPJFA for the first time. Students in Saint Luke’s Sports Specialist Program through year 9 and 10 will also begin training as umpires inside the school curriculum as green shirt umps. For the NPFL and senior umpires, training and reviews will be held once a week on a Monday evening and for the first time they will have a coach.
Outgoing coordinator Adam Martin worked very hard to form the umpires into a team, with him transferring out due to work, and several other distinguished umpires in the same boat, there is an opportunity to join the team. The umpires will continue to develop their group, this year forming a seventh team in the NPFL and continue the work towards an academy that recognises its best and brightest. This helps umpires participate in the social side of footy as a group, just as the players do. We are after new umpires, experienced umpires, returning umpires and anyone interested in contributing to the community.
Apart from the cash rewards, umpiring provides a fun way to stay fit and healthy while participating in community sport. Umpiring suits all ages and actively encourages males and females to join the team. If a bit of a run and fun sounds good to you we’d love to hear from you and will provide you with all the training you need to be a great umpire. To register your interest email cdegebrodt@swandistrictsfc.com. Training will start in late February. Without umpires we don’t have quality, safe, fun and fair environments to play footy in.
