UMPIRING A UNIQUE JOB EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER
It’s the hardest job on the field, it has the most scrutiny and often goes unnoticed, but umpiring can offer unique skills and experiences that cannot be found with other jobs.
Due to how spread out the Goulburn Valley League is, players and umpires are required to travel far and wide for their games, giving them the opportunity to visit towns that have their own unique football identity.
Goulburn Valley Football Umpires Association (GVFUA) president Simon Walsh believes the opportunity to travel to these towns, as well as the skills that are learnt are reasons why so many of its umpires have returned to the league this year.
“We have a lot of unique towns in the Goulburn Valley, with very unique football environments and becoming an umpire allows you to travel and visit these places which you might have not normally visited otherwise,” Walsh said.
“Being an umpire is often a very under-recognised role in the football world, but the skills you can develop are quite unique. You can really build your level of confidence and your conflict management through umpiring as well as building your fitness levels, which is great.”
While COVID-19 has impacted sport during the past two seasons, Walsh said the returning number of umpires was promising.
“We’re seeing a lot of our umpires return which is great,” he said.
“We are always needing to stock up and train new umpires, but we’re seeing a healthy number of umpires return with enthusiasm to get back into it which is good.”
Each week the association provides more than 200 umpires for about 50 games across the district, providing field, boundary, and goal umpires.
While there has been a promising number of umpires return for the upcoming season, new umpires are always welcome and needed to help the association provide every game with skilled and highly competent umpires.
“We’re always looking for more umpires to get on the field,” Walsh said.
“Whether you are a goal, boundary or field umpire, your skill is always needed.
“Our focus is getting these three areas covered so we can get numbers to fulfil games with a good level of quality.
“It might not be the most desirable role in the football world, but it is a really important role.
“Umpiring gives you the opportunity to be part of the community as well as ensuring that football has a safe, inclusive and enjoyable environment that the Goulburn Valley is known for.
“I’d encourage anyone who wants to try, to give it a go.” Goulburn Valley Football Umpires Association held Come and Try days throughout March for those interested in picking up a whistle for the upcoming season.
But if you missed those and are interested in umpiring this season, phone Andrew Moore on 0427 349 912.