Umpiring is everyone’s business. That’s
what the AFL’s new umpiring marketing campaign tells us, and today, that is
what I am telling you, as the President of the South Coast AFL.
Our umpires are an essential part of our
game. So essential in fact, that without them there would be no game. They
start it, they end it, and they control everything that happens in between.
They don’t get the glory of kicking the winning goal, they don’t get to accrue
stat’s, they don’t get to take hangers. In fact, the best outcome for an umpire
at the end of a match is to be told that they were not noticed at all. So
really, an umpire chooses to umpire for the love of the game, and often for
little reward.
Umpiring is a tricky thing. No matter which
way your decision goes, there will be someone that is not happy about it. Even
if it’s the right decision, and it’s the clearest decision of the day, there
will be someone, either on the field or off it that does not like it. So that
person, either playing or not decides at that point that the umpire should hear
all about their ‘alleged’ poor decision. In some instances, that little volley
of abuse is comical, funny and calm. At times though, that volley of abuse is
threatening, slanderous and downright nasty. It needs to STOP.
I am all for animated support of your team,
and I am all for displays of strong competitiveness. I support spectators
getting involved in their team’s progress, just as I support all players, each
and every time they step on the field. What we as a league DO NOT support is
threatening behaviour, verbal abuse and slanderous comments made towards our
umpires. Not at any game and not for any reason. It is cowardly and weak for a
player, official or a supporter to behave in such a way, and we are on a
mission in the South Coast AFL to stamp it out. Umpires are the key to our
sport surviving, and our league will do all it can to make sure that they can
apply their craft with a level of safety, support and enjoyment that should be automatic.
It is only a small minority, both on and
off the field, that think they are above the law of the game, and that the
rules regarding umpires do not apply to them. But I, as the League President,
on behalf of the South Coast AFL Committee, am stating clearly that there has
been a line drawn in the sand. Any abuse that is of a threatening nature will
not be tolerated. If it is a player infringing then the appropriate penalty
will apply. It may be a free kick, or a 50m penalty or a report. If it’s a club
official, it may be a free kick, or a 50m penalty or a report. If it’s a club
supporter it may be a free kick, or a 50m penalty or a report. It may be all
three. No one is above the laws of the game, and no one will be excused. If it
decides the outcome of a game, or more importantly, a final then so be it.
We have young kids in our league that are
moving through the umpiring ranks, but also through the playing ranks. It is up
to us, the adults, to set the example. It is up to us to leave these young kids
in no doubt as to what is acceptable behaviour and what is not.
After all, we are playing a game, and it’s
a fabulous one. Let’s make is our business to make our AFL environment the best
one going around. After all, UMPIRING IS EVEYONES BUSINESS.
Last Modified on 01/10/2010 14:04