AFL UMPIRE MENTOR PROGRAM MANUAL - AFL Community

I have been involved in umpiring for 38 years. The reason of late for my longevity in the game has
been the introduction of the mentor program in which I was asked to be a part of last year. I was
assigned three young aspiring fi eld umpires taking the whistle for the fi rst time. I quickly found these
young men were a delight to work with, and the bond we have established can be attributed to the
program.
From day one we all sat down as a team and discussed what our goals were and where the three
wanted to go with their umpiring. Not surprisingly, all three expressed a great desire to umpire
football to the best of their ability and ultimately at the highest possible level.
This encouraged me to play a fundamental role in their development, not just as umpires, but also as
boys turning into men.
Mentoring has proven to be a rewarding experience for me personally, as it keeps me involved in
the game. More to the point, the mentor program opens new doors for young umpires to achieve
their dreams.
Locky Eccles, Warrnambool and District Football Umpires Association
For a young person – not just as an aspiring umpire – but also as a person establishing him or
herself as an individual, the mentor program is a major factor in helping me develop, from a nervous
and apprehensive fi rst-year fi eld umpire into a confi dent, motivated and knowledgeable young adult.
The skills I learned from my mentor are primarily ones which only experience can bring. I have
developed skills that will be bound to me for life.
The mentor program has given me the capacity to endure, persist and succeed, but more importantly,
to enjoy the work I put in.
Having the support of a mentor on match-day, at training and after hours has allowed me to show my
ability in an uncompetitive setting.
It has also helped motivate me to pursue bigger dreams.
Clinton Markwell, Warrnambool
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UMPIRE MENTOR PROGRAM MANUAL