AFL UMPIRE MENTOR PROGRAM MANUAL - AFL Community

Overview of the program
The AFL Umpire Mentor Program is an initiative of AFL Game Development aimed at
improving the recruitment, retention and development of beginning or learning umpires
in under-age, school, local or community-based football competitions. The focus of the
program is to develop individuals as mentors for these umpires – to ease their initiation into
Australian Football and provide the coaching and advice to develop their skills and love
of the game.
The professionalism and depth of umpiring at the elite level of our game is dependent
on suffi cient numbers of enthusiastic and talented umpires working their way through the
ranks to push for selection at the elite level. However, community football also needs to be
supported by competent and enthusiastic umpires who are capable of umpiring at all levels
of the game.
There is no doubt that umpiring can be a very rewarding pastime or career. Our game
is enhanced when umpired by qualifi ed offi cials, so it is vital for the future of Australian
Football that the development of umpires is a priority.
The role of the mentor is crucial in this program. Without the appropriate guidance,
direction and coaching, we risk losing umpires before they get the chance to properly
develop their skills.
Lawrie Woodman
AFL National Coaching, Umpiring and Volunteers Manager
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UMPIRE MENTOR PROGRAM MANUAL