Umpiring moves

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Had the oddest running action I think I've seen in a fieldy.

He'll need to be very good to match PM. A good teacher and knows how club land functions having been a Prez for sometime. Can still umpire even at his advanced - for field umpiring - age. Good pick-up by Bedford's favourite community comp.

How are the numbers looking pazza.
 
AM said:
Had the oddest running action I think I've seen in a fieldy.

He'll need to be very good to match PM. A good teacher and knows how club land functions having been a Prez for sometime. Can still umpire even at his advanced - for field umpiring - age. Good pick-up by Bedford's favourite community comp.

How are the numbers looking pazza.
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Haven't wandered along to training yet at this stage. Know the goal umpires are down at least 4.
 
pazza said:
2 have gone up to the VFL and one has retired for studies.

Popped along during the week...another group of newbies, but there appears to be enough of the core to cover at least Premier to Division 1.
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Seems from your impression that lower division clubs are once again either not going to benefit from full umpire rosters this year or it will be rare.

Affiliation fees in the VAFA are quite high and in return clubs should expect to get the services for which they are paying. As the largest proportion of the fee goes into umpiring services it seems to me clubs should expect that service to be provided, at least more often than not.

If it isn’t my feeling is that it’s reasonable for clubs to expect a refund for services paid for but not provided.

I realise the recruitment and retention of umpires is no easy task but that isn’t, and shouldn’t be, the clubs problem.

I know Bedford’s favourite league isn’t directly comparable in size and they have the advantage of umpires not having to travel big distances. However, their affiliation fees are quite a deal lower than the VAFA I’m told and every week they provide full umpire rosters throughout the league, including juniors, as I understand it. And they don’t appear to have the same recruiting issues as the VAFA. My understanding is they are contemplating putting a ceiling of 70 on the number of goalies this year as many were a tad miffed at not getting enough games last year.

You’re a running umpire, Pazz, so I understand it’s not something you can comment on. Just think this has been going on for too long and lacks fairness.
 
Noble sentiments AM, however in my experience the leagues providing umpires for every game recycle some absolute nuffies at anything other than the first tier. I agree that clubs not getting umpires should get cash returned, equally when they DO get umpires they should get what they pay for, and that's the VAFA and VAFAUA's role.
 
Well! As a counterpoint, let’s take the specialty in which you excelled - goal umpiring. Might be gilding the lily a bit there.:D

Your so-called ‘nuffies’ are trained to the point where they have a good grasp of decision making; positioning; communication; and other skills such as signalling, speed/agility, concentration et al before they hit the turf. They are regularly assessed and are required to attend training at least monthly – preferably weekly. Plus, they have no club biases. The well run umpire associations send out frequent updates via email too. Those who regularly receive poor assessments don’t last long in the well run leagues.

In my experience, the clubbies generally go through a pre-season course/refresher - is it one day?- and don't receive the same degree of checking. No so sure it happens at all. Club officials are not infrequently caught short and whoever is available gets the white coat. I’ve seen flags propped-up against the fence, not in the holders. People more interested in conversing with supporters over the fence than concentrating on the game. Not seeming to grasp even the basics such as watching the ball and getting under the flight let alone knowing much more about signals than two fingers for a goal and one for a behind. Then there’s the potential for club bias.

Know which I prefer.

It’s not likely to change in the near term. However, I reckon if clubs were reimbursed for the games when rosters aren’t filled – as they should be – that would really focus the minds of the movers-n-shakers at HQ.
 

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The EFL used to be able to fill all senior games and div 1 u/19s through mostly double ups, but even they struggle these days. And the quality is horrendous at even Div 1 level.

The VAFA have regularly had 90-100 goal umpires in recent years and it’s nowhere near enough. But of course they could go the route of covering every senior game before 19s, but that’s not beneficial to the umpires development.

The bias of certain club umpires in the divisions is quite appalling, not just goal but reserves field umpires as well, but where are all these hundreds of umpires coming from so we don’t need them anymore?

At least what I like about the VAFA is the top 40 goal umpires are all good quality and a lot of the kids are keen and come on quickly with the quality coaching provided at EP.
 
“ top 40 goal umpires are all good quality” Hmm!

I'm not as confident as you about that comment. Let's leave it at that shall we!

“they could go the route of covering every senior game .............but that’s not beneficial to the umpires development” Hmm!

Well, from the games perspective, suggesting club goal umps with minimal training and no assessments are a better proposition than those undergoing continual development and assessment - I just don’t buy. It’s an excuse, not a reason.

In any event, clubs pay for full umpire rosters. If the VAFA can’t provide a service the clubs are paying for then those clubs – usually the least financial – should be financially compensated.
 
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AM said:
“ top 40 goal umpires are all good quality” Hmm!

I'm not as confident as you about that comment. Let's leave it at that shall we!

“they could go the route of covering every senior game .............but that’s not beneficial to the umpires development” Hmm!

Well, from the games perspective, suggesting club goal umps with minimal training and no assessments are a better proposition than those undergoing continual development and assessment - I just don’t buy. It’s an excuse, not a reason.

In any event, clubs pay for full umpire rosters. If the VAFA can’t provide a service the clubs are paying for then those clubs – usually the least financial – should be financially compensated.
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Let’s put it this way, the umpires in Div 1 Ammos (30-40 on list) are far better than the umpires in Div 1 EFL (10-20) and probably than any umpire in the Shit Football League!
 
Navyblues09 said:
Let’s put it this way, the umpires in Div 1 Ammos (30-40 on list) are far better than the umpires in Div 1 EFL (10-20) and probably than any umpire in the Shit Football League!
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Misses the main point. However, you're entitled to protect the interests of those with whom - I'm guessing -you umpire.

btw. Think you'll find Peter Marshall would contest the last part of your comment.
 
AM said:
Misses the main point. However, you're entitled to protect the interests of those with whom - I'm guessing -you umpire.

btw. Think you'll find Peter Marshall would contest the last part of your comment.
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Nope, I've just been impressed by the quality of umpires I've seen when watching Division football over the years, then rocking up to EFL senior finals and being appalled at how bad they truly are. Sure they are not all fantastic, but the depth is good.
 
Over The Post said:
So anyway, Pazza, now that Dommie's retired, who has taken up the responsibility of thundering "MIIIIIIIIIIIINNNE!!!!" ?

View attachment 835309

MIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNE!!!!!! Behind on the full!
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We have been told not to do it so much but, I still have my voice ;) - Chilli too.
 
pazza said:
2 have gone up to the VFL and one has retired for studies.

Popped along during the week...another group of newbies, but there appears to be enough of the core to cover at least Premier to Division 1.
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So without knowing the identity of the study retiree, that's 3 of the top echelon... Yikes. Good test for you all!

The point of numbers is especially valid - much like there's a player exodus in the depth of winter, if there's a steep umpire exodus then the whole league is in trouble. I feel the number of players turning to umpiring is also falling - is this a consequence of the style of game now that leaves players a little more frail post retirement, do we think? I'd be interested to see a stat on the number of players who take it up.
 
Certainly we've had high profile ex-players come into the umpiring ranks. I'd like to see a lot more club footballers retire into the fold, but the reality is that a guy who has been playing ressies and seniors for ten or fifteen or more years is going to stick around the club and help out and watch the game on the weekend, and not bleem off to the other side of the city with a whistle.
 
Stumbles McGuillicutty said:
So without knowing the identity of the study retiree, that's 3 of the top echelon... Yikes. Good test for you all!

The point of numbers is especially valid - much like there's a player exodus in the depth of winter, if there's a steep umpire exodus then the whole league is in trouble. I feel the number of players turning to umpiring is also falling - is this a consequence of the style of game now that leaves players a little more frail post retirement, do we think? I'd be interested to see a stat on the number of players who take it up.
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The VAFA would nearly every year have their 2 best goal umpires at least go to higher levels, a great sign of the quality of umpires and coaching being provided.
 

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