It is with somewhat concern that I write to you all this morning.
I have had a number of phone calls, emails, text messages, etc over the past couple of months from people concerned with the ongoing flack our volunteer umpires are copping each week. It is quite disappointing to hear that those who are putting up their hand to ensure a game of junior football can proceed are copping it from those on the sidelines. Sometimes players are at fault, but for the most part, I have been told the abuse from the sidelines has been the major concern. We are now in a situation where these volunteer umpires are pulling the pin and deciding not to do the job anymore.
Regardless of whether they get some decisions wrong (in the eyes of some), the abuse from the sidelines needs to stop otherwise the situation will come to a point where a football match will not proceed. The umpires will not get every decision right and just like the players they will make mistakes but everyone needs to be reminded that they are out there to help the development of our junior footballers.
I am asking all clubs to make sure their members are aware of how hard umpiring is and that the people doing the job are there because they want to help out. Nothing more, nothing less.
I have attached a copy of the 2016 WDJFL By-Laws and at the end of the by-laws is a copy of Codes of Conduct which you may wish to print off and hand out to all your members.
If anyone wishes to discuss the above with me, feel free to contact me.
Good luck to all this weekend and may everyone enjoy their day at the football.
Regards,
Jeremy Wilson.
League Operations
AFL North East Border
Wangaratta Sports Development Centre | Wangaratta Showgrounds
PO Box 1132 | Wangaratta VIC 3676
Ph: (03) 5722 1993 | Fax: (03) 5722 1798 |
Last Modified on 16/06/2016 10:27