If you love footy, you’ll love being an umpire. Not only do you get the best view of the action, you also get paid for the privilege. It helps keep you fit, you get to be part of a team and you can learn leadership skills that you can take with you when you walk off the ground. Whether you’re choose to be a field, boundary or goal umpire, it may be the most fun you have.
Who can become an umpire?
Almost anyone can become an umpire. Old or young, male or female, it doesn’t matter. Women are certainly making significant steps in the higher levels of the game and are now common place at local levels as field, boundary and goal umpires.
Be part of a team
All umpires work together in a team environment with each umpire working together to perform at their best. Within all umpiring groups there are coaches and mentors who assist in improving all umpires’ performances in a team environment.
Make some new friends
Umpiring groups are the same as any football club or other special interest group. They are made up of many interesting people from many varied backgrounds. Getting involved with an umpiring panel is a terrific way to meet new people and make long term friends with a common interest.
Keep yourself fit
All umpiring groups have a fitness program to suit a variety of fitness levels. You can keep yourself fit and healthy whilst having fun with others.
Develop your personal skills
Umpiring can improve your confidence, build resiliance and help you to make quick decisions whilst under pressure. Developing all these skills within a team environment is an added benefit you can use away from the football field.
Climb the career ladder to the top!
If you are a fit, dedicated and hard-working individual there is a clearly defined career path with ample opportunities for you to reach the top. If you show promise at a local level, you may be invited to join regional or state Umpiring Academy. From here there will be opportunities to improve your skills and umpire at various representative matches that may lead to an exciting umpiring career at the state or national level.
Earn some extra cash
All umpires get paid. Payments begin at about $20 for junior football and increase as your you move into higher levels with the top umpires in the AFL being able to earn more than $100,000 in a year. Not bad for a part time job.
Have fun!
The most important thing to remember is to make sure you enjoy umpiring and all that it offers. You can meet friends, improve your fitness and your skills and experience a whole new, fantastic world within footy. Remember, there is no better place from which to watch a game of football.
Register to be an Umpire with the AFL North East Border
To register to umpire with the AFL North East Border CLICK HERE to complete your registration online.
Overview of Umpiring
Check out these videos produced by the AFL on umpiring Australian Football.
Basic Guide to Umpiring (39.12 minutes)
Introduction to Field, Boundary and Goal Umpiring (29.32 minutes)
Field Umpiring (46.08 minutes)
Boundary Umpiring (32.41 minutes)
Goal Umpiring (32.18 minutes)
Social Media
Keep up to date with all that is happening in umpiring in the North East Border region by following our social media sites;
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/umpireneb
- Twitter: @neb_umpires
To start umpiring please conact;
AFLNEB on 02 6056 1993 (Wodonga) or 03 5722 1993 (Wangaratta)
Alternatively feel free to attend one of our training venues from 6pm during the football season in Albury at Noreiul Park or in Wangaratta at Norm Minns Oval (Wangaratta Show Grounds) on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
Last Modified on 04/02/2020 11:00