Give umpiring a go

EVER thought about donning a fluorescent shirt and officiating a game of football? A ‘Come ‘n’ Try’ event is coming up in Moorabool to show newcomers the ropes.

The Ballarat Football Umpires Association is holding a Come ‘n’ Try night at Masons Lane Reserve at 6pm on Monday 18 March, and people of all fitness levels are invited.

BFUA Head of Umpiring Operations, Billy Mitchell, said there were a range of benefits to becoming an umpire.

“Monday night will be an opportunity to try out umpiring, try out the different skills involved…there will be a few activities, all to sort of make it a bit of fun and see if umpiring is something that attendees are interested in taking up,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Umpiring is fun, it’s a good opportunity to get involved in the game in a different way, a great way to earn money, and for those who like to be social, it’s a great opportunity to make new friends.

“It’s also a great way to get some additional physical activity in.”

While some kinds of umpiring require a decent level of fitness and stamina, Mr Mitchell said there were roles available for everyone.

“There’s three different disciplines, so because of that we take all levels of fitness,” he said.

“The opportunity to umpire locally is important, obviously there’s games in Bacchus Marsh and Darley, but also Melton and up the highway in the Central Highlands Football League in places like Ballan.

“I think people sometimes think they’d need to umpire games an hour away, and while there is that opportunity, they wouldn’t necessarily need to.”

For more information, email [email protected], or just head on down to Masons Lane on Monday.