“To All Club Secretaries,
I write to you so that all clubs will gain an understanding of what is happening with our field umpiring situation as it currently stands.
We need to fill 140 field umpire positions each week in our senior & U18/19 sections and we need 42 field umpires for our club 18 sections which = 182 field umpires every week. The reality is we have 160 field umpires on our books so starting with a shortfall of 22 puts a bit of pressure on filling all matches, but at the moment we also have 5 senior umpires on our long term injury list and will probably not umpire at all this season and we have at least 12 umpires with some sort of injury and we also have at least 5 – 6 unavailable each week due to work, family and social engagements and you really start to see our plight.
We have recruited 24 new field umpires this season, but have lost 21 from last season but most of these umpires are quite young and still learning the umpiring caper and we need to retain all of them if we are to provide quality umpires into the future.
Having said all that we have managed to provide 2 field umpires in 99% of matches in the first 4 rounds due to umpires doubling up but this also has a price in that we cannot sustain this work load as some of these umpires are starting to get injuries which is starting to compound our shortage of umpires.
In communicating this to you I am seeking your clubs support by informing all members of your club (Players, Coaches and Supporters alike) that the VAFA umpires need encouragement and support by not being yelled at in a derogatory manner and being constantly abused as at the moment we have a few umpires thinking about giving umpiring away due to this constant abuse.
I am not saying people cannot barrack and yell out but I would like to see them yell out and support your team/s rather than criticize umpires who are also doing their best just like your players. We have a good coaching panel in place and we are making good progress but this will only continue if we keep umpires in our ranks.
So as you can see we are under resourced and although we are providing 2 field umpires in most games this will not last if the current situation is not rectified so again I ask for your clubs support in this very important matter.
If you know of anyone that would be even remotely interested in umpiring please let me know and I will contact them.
I have also sent this email to all presidents and coaches.
Thanking you all in advance.
Brian “Benny” Goodman
General Manager, Umpire Operations”