AFL UMPIRE MENTOR PROGRAM MANUAL - AFL Community

Mentoring is a highly effective way for new umpires to learn the ‘art’ of their role and apply
theory they may have learnt in the classroom or through independent study. Mentors can
bring life to a theoretical concept, demonstrate practical offi ciating skills, be a sounding
board for problems, help you to identify weaknesses or be a source of motivation and
a reminder that you are doing a great job!
Mentoring relationships can be formally structured, with mentors assigned to umpires,
or they can grow out of a chance encounter with a like-minded umpire and remain very
informal. They can be equally as useful for a new umpire just starting out in the sport as
for an elite umpire with signifi cant experience. It doesn’t matter what form a mentoring
relationship takes, as long as the umpire and the mentor see value in the relationship and
it helps both to develop and become better at their jobs.
“Mentoring is a process rather than an event; mentors must see themselves as managers
of a process rather than passing on knowledge.”
Galvin, 1998
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