Between Round 8 and 9 of the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season we will
celebrate Community Umpiring Week with the aim to encourage people to get
involved in umpiring Australian Football at the community level.
Throughout the week, May 6 – May 13, the AFL will be celebrating Community
Umpiring Week through a number of initiatives:
• AFL Umpires will attend community Club training sessions
• Umpires at each AFL match this weekend will be led onto the ground by
community umpires
• AFL Umpires will officiate in junior community matches
• Current AFL players will officiate in junior community matches
Across the country, leagues and clubs will celebrate their local umpires with
various initiatives run by the clubs.
Community Umpiring Development Manager, Brenton Sanderson said with more
than 1.4 million people playing Australian Football, umpire numbers have never
been more important.
“There are over 15,000 umpires officiating in community football matches each
week and over 12% are female, a significant increase in line with the expansion
of female football”, he said.
“Community Umpiring Week is designed to increase awareness of umpiring as
a choice as an additional activity to playing or choosing umpiring as a sport of
choice as an alternative way to participate in the game.
“Over 94% of umpires currently play or have played junior football. You can play
and umpire on the same day or on alternate days. It is a great way to keep fit,
earn money, develop life skills and make life-long friends.”
For more information or to register your interest in umpiring community football
visit https://umpire.afl.