AFL Barwon seeks umpires for 2023

WITH the continual rise in player participation across local football leagues, AFL Barwon is seeking more umpires to continue making the sport “one of the greatest games”.

The regional football body is encouraging people of all ages to get fit and get paid to become field, boundary and goal umpires in the Geelong, Geelong and District, Bellarine and Colac District leagues in 2023.

AFL Barwon umpire coaching and development co-ordinator David Harris said it remained incredibly important to get more people involved in umpiring to help support the growth of community football in the region.

“The reason why football needs more registered umpires is to ensure that all games off football are officiated by people who have been given the skills and knowledge to ensure games are played in a safe manner.

“Currently AFL Barwon have close to 500 registered umpires, but if we were to supply umpires to all competitions across the region, we would require over 1,500.

“This number will continue to grow as participation increases in coming years.”

Harris said joining the umpiring team in 2023 would come with plenty of benefits for those interested.

“Umpiring provides people the opportunity to learn life skills that are valuable for all facets of life,” he said.

“The obvious benefit getting started as an umpire is being paid to be active, but umpiring gives you people management, decision making and communication skills that are high quality traits to have.”

Harris referred to umpiring numbers struggling to keep up with rising player participation, but said AFL Barwon remained hopeful numbers would continually increase as they had been previously.

“A common phrase I hear when speaking to new umpires it that they wish they had taken it up sooner,” he said.

“Umpiring is a great way to be connected to our community and be part of one of the greatest games in the world.”

To get involved with the AFL Barwon 2023 umpiring program, head to play.afl/umpire