AFL NORTHERN RIVERS JUNIORS
ECHO WHISTLE
The weather last weekend was more conducive for a day at the beach
rather than on a footy field. Hope that all enjoyed their games and you
umpired the best that you could.
TRAINING: Due to my work commitments, I am unable to run any training
sessions until the next scheduled days in Lismore on the 11th, 18th and 25th of June. However you can
be doing your own training by reviewing the rules and taking the opportunity to view the Laws of
Australian Football. This is a good opportunity to refresh and ensure that you are confident with
your knowledge of the game. All of these can be found at the following link:
http://aflcommunityclub.com.au/index.php?id=37
PROTECTING THE PLAYER: It is the role of the umpire to ensure that the game is played under the
Spirit of the game and to enforce that both teams play by the rules governing the game. It is also the
duty of the umpire to protect the player whose intent it is to contest the ball. This means to ensure
that the person who is going for the ball and has the ball is given the protection by the umpire
through the enforcement of the rules. This needs then to ensure that we penalise high tackles,
penalise push in the back. We need to be on to this right from the start of our games. As an umpire
you can set the tone of the game right from the opening minutes – as I say “you need to take control
of the game as you are the umpire and all players, officials and spectators will be expecting this.
Umpiring is not an easy job, but it is an enjoyable job when you come off the ground knowing that
you have done your absolute best.
SLINGING TACKLES: Are not on. In the Under 10’s, the correct way to tackle is to wrap both arms
around the player. They cannot bring them to the ground and they most certainly cannot sling them
to the ground. Any player who slings another player to the ground must be penalised. I cannot
emphasise enough that slinging is just not on.
In the Under 12’s and Under 14’s they must tackle in the correct manner and this also highlights that
a person cannot be slung to the ground after disposing of the ball. As an umpire you should keep
your eyes on the player who has disposed of the ball for a second or two to ensure that no breach of
the rules has been incurred on them via a late tackle or incorrect tackle (slinging).
As an umpire you will gain respect and confidence if you stamp this out of a game from the first
moment it appears. Players can be hurt from slinging tackles and at this age level we want to ensure
that players have every opportunity to play the game in a safe and supportive environment and as
umpires we are given that responsibility to ensure it happens.
GAME START: Great to see our umpires taking control and getting their games started at or as close
to the scheduled starting times. When you have spoken to both teams and introduced yourselves
both umpires then walk to the middle of the ground. This indicates to all at the ground that we are
ready to get underway. Do not be afraid to blow your whistle a couple of times to get the teams out
onto the field and into position. Just as we are to be at the grounds at a designated time, so too are
games scheduled to commence at allocated times.
SIGNALS: I wrote in last week’s newsletter about the importance of communication on the field. One
of the important areas of communication is to know your signals. This informs the coaches and
spectators on why a free kick was paid. Have noticed lately that a few umpires are paying free kicks
and just telling the players why the free kick was paid. This is fine for the players but there are a lot
of other people who would like to know why the free kick was paid. To put it simply it is BLOW and
SHOW. When you spot an infringement, BLOW your whistle and SHOW using the correct signalling.
Please find attached below an outline of the signals used in footy. A very important aspect of being a
good umpire is to use the appropriate signals.
CONCERNS / ISSUES / QUESTIONS / RULE CLARIFICATION or even to have a chat please do not
hesitate to contact me. I had an umpire and a couple of club officials contact me after last weekends
game to clarify a couple of things and this was wonderful. I am here to help. The question you have
may help other umpires in their development as well. Please ring, email or text. My contact details
are 0407 093 812 or [email protected]
2014 TRAINING SESSIONS: Training times and venues for this year are as follows:Day
Wednesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Date
11 June
18th June
25th June
16th July
23rd July
30th July
6th August
13th August
20th August
27th August
th
Club
Lismore
Lismore
Lismore
Brunswick Valley
Brunswick Valley
Brunswick Valley
Tweed Coast
Tweed Coast
Byron Bay
Byron Bay
Venue
Mortimer Oval
Mortimer Oval
Mortimer Oval
Stan Thompson Oval
Stan Thompson Oval
Stan Thompson Oval
Pottsville Oval
Pottsville Oval
BRSSC
BRSSC
Time
5pm – 6pm
5pm – 6pm
5pm – 6pm
5pm – 6pm
5pm – 6pm
5pm – 6pm
5pm – 6pm
5pm – 6pm
5pm – 6pm
5pm – 6pm
When attending training it is vital that all umpires have their whistle with them.
It is an expectation that all of our umpires will attend a minimum of 3 training sessions.
Please keep this in mind as we get to the end of the year and appoint umpires for finals. I
will be keeping an attendance roster.
Blow the whistle hard and be clear with your signals,
Tony Hunter
AFL Northern Rivers Juniors Umpires Coach