Yellowman/Whistleblower,
Do the reserves umpires performances get looked over at all? I know they are at the bottom of our 'talent pool' (more like 'cess pit') and are just making up numbers but c'mon, some of them are an absolute disgrace. Would be better of doing it like we did at primary school and paying our own free kicks as they happen.
I felt sorry for the players of both teams during the Mont v Bundoora reserves game on Saturday. They had to put up with two of the worst umpires you will ever see. Then, after the match, the older one had a Monty Football Club top on!
The only thing the older one did right all day was not be as terrible as the younger one, which was pretty much impossible.
Where do you find them? Or do they come to you?
Is there an Umpire screening test? If so, I would love to see it.
Under K.Smith the following applies:
A Div 1 - Panel of select umpires of rotate every 4-6 weeks into div 2
A Div 2 - Panel of remainder of A grade umpires who rotate 3-4 weeks into B grade
B Grade - basically whatever umpiring stocks we have left. Up and coming umpires get looked at and observed. To Kevin's credit he is making an effort to see more umpires every weekend, where the old regime only appeared to care about the A grade panel.
Hope this helps.