The Umpiring is Everyone’s Business’ campaign aims to communicate the following key messages:
• Raise awareness for the need to create a better, more positive match day environment for umpires, particularly at grassroots level where are there are issues with recruitment and retention rates of umpires.
• Demonstrate to the football community that at the AFL level, umpires, players, coaches, fans, administrators and officials can work together for the good of the game to make the match day environment as inclusive and enjoyable as possible for all the participants.
• Provide the AFL community with a greater understanding and appreciation for the role of umpires at all levels of our game.
Formerly AFL Umpires Manager, Jeff Gieschen’s role has expanded to National Umpires Manager and he is encouraging participants at all levels of Australia’s game to take responsibility for their behaviour on match day.
“It is our view that at the AFL level the match day environment is as good as we can recall with a healthy level of respect and professional working relationships in existence between coaches, players, umpires and officials.
“Unfortunately this appears not to be the case at some local and junior competitions and the key reason why many umpires dropout of umpiring is because of the poor match day environment and negative behaviors towards them.
“Latest statistics reveal that there are around 19,000 umpire appointments required weekly across Australia during the season, however there are only approximately11,000 accredited umpires to fill those appointments.
“Umpires get involved because they love Australia’s game, just like players, coaches, fans and we need to make the match day environment inclusive and respectful so that umpires can continue to enjoy it and retention rates improve,” said Mr Gieschen.
In recognition of the ‘Umpiring is Everyone’s Business’ campaign, at every AFL match during Round Six there will be four junior umpires dressed in their local umpiring uniform leading the AFL umpires onto the ground at the start of the match.
One of the junior umpires will hold the ball up to signify to the time keepers that the umpires have entered the arena and will also accompany an AFL senior umpire to oversee the toss of the coin.
All senior AFL coaches will shake hands with AFL umpires on field prior to the game.
A number of other activities will take place during Round Six to mark the Umpiring is Everyone’s Business campaign, supported by OPSM, the official sponsor of AFL Umpires.
