THE season-opening round of the AFL North Coast competition is only a week away, but may not proceed unless the league is able to recruit more umpires to adjudicate games.
This is not a situation unique to AFL and most other local sports as they struggle to attract these key officials.
So why don’t people want to umpire? It is a non-contact way of keeping fit and they are reasonably well paid.
Coffs Coast Independent put that question to local AFL North Coast umpires’ coach and league president Rod Macpherson.
“The fact is that it does take courage to umpire sport and not everyone wants to put themselves in the firing line,” he said.
“Players and coaches and officials make decisions all the time, but none get the public scrutiny of an umpire’s decision.
“How many times do you hear the media and supporters focussing on one umpiring decision, whether right or wrong, as a result-deciding moment?
“What about the dropped mark or the missed goal or the soft tackle or the lazy defence that players are guilty of or the wrong tactical move or selection that coaches make?”
Macpherson played more than 300 games and coached and played in 12 grand finals.
“I can tell you that umpiring takes more personal courage than coaching or playing,” he said.
“You are alone out there and you just make a split-second call and back your judgement in the public eye and don’t usually get much support from the outer.
“We all make mistakes, but it seems that umpires cannot get it right in the view of the passionate supporter.”
Well, why do you do it?
“I started reluctantly just to put something back into the game and now I love it,” he said.
“There is no doubt that umpiring builds person character. Players and kids in general who have some experience as the ref have a much more balanced view on life.
“It helps with decision making and self confidence. Besides, you get to see the footy from the best seat in the house and keep fit, and the money comes in handy for some as well.”
So, who makes the best umpires and how does someone join up?
“It is certainly important to love your sport, whether it is AFL or league,” he said.
“Apart from that, ex-players, supporters or anyone interested in self development can make a good umpire.
“We have some fantastic young men like Mitch Turner and his brother Luke who have come through the ranks and made excellent umpires.
“Others like Scott Bellamy and George Masaad just enjoy the umpiring environment.
“We are blessed with a great bunch of blokes. Sorry, we have had female umpires as well.
“Anyone interested in joining should contact me or Luke Turner through the AFL North Coast website (www.aflnorthcoast.com.au) and email or just rock up to Coffs Leisure Park from 6pm on Thursday evenings for training.
“Coaches are accredited and a formal accreditation program is available for umpires.”
What does it cost?
“We have a fantastic sponsor in the Coffs Hotel and this allows most costs of accreditation and uniform to be covered. The junior and senior leagues also provide excellent support,” he said.
“A young person can earn over $100 for the day once accredited.”
Rod Macpherson’s regular column on local AFL starts in next week’s Coffs Coast Independent.