I guess my view on club umpires is that they are necessary in this competition. The situation with umpire numbers is (or should be) the second biggest issue on the BDAFLs plate. The umpires are always going to get criticised, no doubt about that. How the problem gets fixed I really dont know. I have said in the past that in the last 13 or so years Ive been playing footy Ive never seen anything in a local paper regarding umpiring, so why doesnt the league ring a few of the local papers and get an article put in there??? Its not hard to do. I guess the BDAFL has to shoulder some of the blame, but I also think the NCCUA has to get out there and actively try and recruit as well.
I think the club umpires in 2s and 18s isnt too bad an idea. It happens in a lot of leagues around Australia, and as a matter of fact I think a lot of the club umpires have a better feel for the game and are more open to communication than a few of the official blokes running around in the lower grades (one being a former BDAFL board member who handles questioning so badly he awards free kicks against supporters in under 18s matches)
In first grade it should be accredited umpires only, if there arent enough for 3 in a game then only use 2. The grounds up here are small enough for 2 umpires to work. It has been mentioned that in some 1st grade games there may only be club umpires. This would be a massive blight on the league and a very ordinary situation for senior footy.
I know the league want the club umpires to eventually become full time accredited umpires, if this happens its a good process. The only other positive I can see is that there are a number of kids umpiring junior footy who seem to handle themselves alright. Might be a bit of time away but if they stay involved they will be good umpires in the next 3-5 years.
The worst thing to probably happen to umpiring was Grant Godfrey standing down. He was a great communicator and the umpires seemed to have real good morale and were more open to communication when he was in charge. They need someone else like him to get involved and encourage the other blokes with the whistle quickly!
I think the club umpires in 2s and 18s isnt too bad an idea. It happens in a lot of leagues around Australia, and as a matter of fact I think a lot of the club umpires have a better feel for the game and are more open to communication than a few of the official blokes running around in the lower grades (one being a former BDAFL board member who handles questioning so badly he awards free kicks against supporters in under 18s matches)
In first grade it should be accredited umpires only, if there arent enough for 3 in a game then only use 2. The grounds up here are small enough for 2 umpires to work. It has been mentioned that in some 1st grade games there may only be club umpires. This would be a massive blight on the league and a very ordinary situation for senior footy.
I know the league want the club umpires to eventually become full time accredited umpires, if this happens its a good process. The only other positive I can see is that there are a number of kids umpiring junior footy who seem to handle themselves alright. Might be a bit of time away but if they stay involved they will be good umpires in the next 3-5 years.
The worst thing to probably happen to umpiring was Grant Godfrey standing down. He was a great communicator and the umpires seemed to have real good morale and were more open to communication when he was in charge. They need someone else like him to get involved and encourage the other blokes with the whistle quickly!