VAFA General Discussion

[bedford]

FWIW new vafa president creating a big footy account and the Herald Sun doing a write up on Div1-Div4 recruits, what other nuggets does 2024 have in store? Bedford as the new mod?

Happy to accept fwiw

 

[Hornberger]

No field umpires for U/19 Div 3/4 or Men's Women's thirds

Lets hope there is a shitload on school holidays!

Where do you find the umpire appointments?

 

[Over The Post]

Where do you find the umpire appointments?

Vafa site / fixtures / click on Match Centre for the game you're interested in / scroll to the bottom

 

[Deleted member 20240623]

No field umpires for U/19 Div 3/4 or Men's Women's thirds

Lets hope there is a shitload on school holidays!

Maybe time to establish breakaway umpires union and charge $200 per umpire. Or in ressies have 1 filed ump and have both clubs pay them!

 

[AM]

Maybe time to establish breakaway umpires union and charge $200 per umpire. Or in ressies have 1 filed ump and have both clubs pay them!

I'm assuming you aren't being ironic BT. The major proportion of the funds collected in affiliation fees is directed to umpiring. As if affiliation fees aren't steep enough now.

I believe the VAFA umps are paid at the higher end of the community ump pay scale.

Not sure if it remains the case but down Mornington way the umpires were a separate self-governing outfit. The League allocates a sum and they were solely accountable for all matters umpiring.

 

[AM]

Why the eff, do they need 3 umpires in Prem A. Considering most of the grounds are not large. Brighton, King, Trott and Camberwell. They will be falling over themselves.

NFNL only use 2 umpires in their top grade.

It's understandable at the pointy end of the season, Maxwell, when the umps work in threes. They love threesomes.

But now, with a shortage of 'em, it's hard to justify.

 

[zeroseven]

I'm assuming you aren't being ironic BT. The major proportion of the funds collected in affiliation fees is directed to umpiring. As if affiliation fees aren't steep enough now.

I believe the VAFA umps are paid at the higher end of the community ump pay scale.

Not sure if it remains the case but down Mornington way the umpires were a separate self-governing outfit. The League allocates a sum and they were solely accountable for all matters umpiring.

My understanding of the new system is that no part of affiliation fees is for umpires [staff salaries only ] . Separate bills for umpires in 2023 on a user pay basis.

 

[Seemyhat]

My understanding of the new system is that no part of affiliation fees is for umpires [staff salaries only ] . Separate bills for umpires in 2023 on a user pay basis.

Tried ringing VAFA recently? Don't think any staff are there to take calls.

 

[AM]

My understanding of the new system is that no part of affiliation fees is for umpires [staff salaries only ] . Separate bills for umpires in 2023 on a user pay basis.

Thanks for that.

Is there a link where details of the new system are set out?

I assume that affiliation fees have been adjusted accordingly and ump fees are contingent on there being a full roster appointed and turning up.

 

[eth-dog]

Tried ringing VAFA recently? Don't think any staff are there to take calls.

Think they disconnected the phones. Really good idea the week before round 1, not.

 

[WithThePeanuts]

Think they disconnected the phones. Really good idea the week before round 1, not.

Never answer calls, invoices are always incorrect. Shambles.

Also on the umpires, does the VAFAUA still make them purchase their uniform and pay a membership fee?

 

[eth-dog]

Never answer calls, invoices are always incorrect. Shambles.

Also on the umpires, does the VAFAUA still make them purchase their uniform and pay a membership fee?

Especially since they've taken over the player points system. Great in theory, but when they don't assign points to players in your firsts it can be troublesome!

 

[Deleted member 20240623]

No Boundary Umpires in B Grade. What a poor effort.

poor effort by who Max? I trust you are not directing at the kids for not running the boundary

Never answer calls, invoices are always incorrect. Shambles.

Also on the umpires, does the VAFAUA still make them purchase their uniform and pay a membership fee?

yep you still need to pay annual registration fees which means you will umpire first game for free and then if they change uniforms you need to cough up also!

 

[Deleted member 20240623]

I'm assuming you aren't being ironic BT. The major proportion of the funds collected in affiliation fees is directed to umpiring. As if affiliation fees aren't steep enough now.

I believe the VAFA umps are paid at the higher end of the community ump pay scale.

Not sure if it remains the case but down Mornington way the umpires were a separate self-governing outfit. The League allocates a sum and they were solely accountable for all matters umpiring.

Nope I'm deadly serious! I've been offered $170 per week to umpire ressies (premier sections) and turned it down as J had committed to same ressies gig as last year well under the award wage offered above!

Seriously though, the vafa need to "pivot" and operate the same as Northern & Southern umps where umpires run 2 games in a row!

I've also seen increased prices for Prem A women's games at $170 a pop so might go back next year for a light run around the park!

 

[AM]

Nope I'm deadly serious! I've been offered $170 per week to umpire ressies (premier sections) and turned it down as J had committed to same ressies gig as last year well under the award wage offered above!

Seriously though, the vafa need to "pivot" and operate the same as Northern & Southern umps where umpires run 2 games in a row!

I've also seen increased prices for Prem A women's games at $170 a pop so might go back next year for a light run around the park!

Not familiar with Northern BT, but I do have some familiarity with Southern as it was a little while back. They not only had goalies doubling-up but they were doing three games a day. That is clearly far from ideal as no ump can be as sharp in the 3rd game. And that's the most important game.

The better operators preferred one, but two was the max. Even then it had a bit to do with the pay not being up to VAFA rates or they felt obliged due to low numbers.

If you can get $170 for a ressies game, I'd be jumping at it.

I'd suggest the take-up rate in the VAFA for two games, particularly among the seasoned goal umps, wouldn't be high. Be interesting to get the take of pazza and Over The Post

Then there's the additional cost. We've already had quite some discussion re the cost of running clubs these days and ways of finding revenue.

Btw. I'm assuming you are referencing goalies as running fieldies or boundaries in two games is obviously unsustainable and with the odd exception out of sheer necessity didn't happen.

 

[Navyblues09]

Not familiar with Northern BT, but I do have some familiarity with Southern as it was a little while back. They not only had goalies doubling-up but they were doing three games a day. That is clearly far from ideal as no ump can be as sharp in the 3rd game. And that's the most important game.

The better operators preferred one, but two was the max. Even then it had a bit to do with the pay not being up to VAFA rates or they felt obliged due to low numbers.

If you can get $170 for a ressies game, I'd be jumping at it.

I'd suggest the take-up rate in the VAFA for two games, particularly among the seasoned goal umps, wouldn't be high. Be interesting to get the take of pazza and Over The Post

Then there's the additional cost. We've already had quite some discussion re the cost of running clubs these days and ways of finding revenue.

Btw. I'm assuming you are referencing goalies as running fieldies or boundaries in two games is obviously unsustainable and with the odd exception out of sheer necessity didn't happen.

It happens a lot with field umpires, the Eastern have done it quite a lot, not sure this year but in recent seasons it has been pretty much a regular thing of running 2 games a day at all levels. Their Premier umpires would be running the senior game after backing up from the reserves or sometimes they’d run the 19s then get a break but that makes it a very long day.

 

[God Yeah]

Nope I'm deadly serious! I've been offered $170 per week to umpire ressies (premier sections) and turned it down as J had committed to same ressies gig as last year well under the award wage offered above!

Seriously though, the vafa need to "pivot" and operate the same as Northern & Southern umps where umpires run 2 games in a row!

I've also seen increased prices for Prem A women's games at $170 a pop so might go back next year for a light run around the park!

$170 for a premier reserves that almost umpires itself.

I know clubs in the lower divisions are having to fork out $100+ a game to have volunteers umpire reserve games. This obviously differs per club, it's just another on-going cost for the clubs to shell out.

 

[bedford]

$170 for a premier reserves that almost umpires itself.

I know clubs in the lower divisions are having to fork out $100+ a game to have volunteers umpire reserve games. This obviously differs per club, it's just another on-going cost for the clubs to shell out.

We are lucky as we have a club legend do it for nothing

 

[Champ or Chump]

We are lucky as we have a club legend do it for nothing

Due to lack of regular volunteers we now pay for 'club' officials:

Seniors - boundary and goal (most weeks) and timekeeper

Res - field, boundary, goal and timekeeper

Thirds - field, boundary and goal (have time keeper volunteer)

Womens - field (on occasions), boundary and goal ( have timekeeper volunteer)

We pay - $150 field, $50 boundary, $40 goal and $40 timekeeper.

....... and user pay VAFA umpires at thier set rates when allocated.

All clubs now understand the value of volunteers more than ever...... especially in lower divisions

Chump

 

[CARLTON2011]

Due to lack of regular volunteers we now pay for 'club' officials:

Seniors - boundary and goal (most weeks) and timekeeper

Res - field, boundary, goal and timekeeper

Thirds - field, boundary and goal (have time keeper volunteer)

Womens - field (on occasions), boundary and goal ( have timekeeper volunteer)

We pay - $150 field, $50 boundary, $40 goal and $40 timekeeper.

....... and user pay VAFA umpires at thier set rates when allocated.

All clubs now understand the value of volunteers more than ever...... especially in lower divisions

Chump

Couldn't agree more. Fortunately for us we are getting some past players to step up for goal/field/boundary in the Ressies. Seniors Timekeeper is the hardest job to fill each week due to the time on factor.
Interchange steward and Umpire escort jobs have disappeared in recent years. Boundary umpire could be next to go particularly in the lower grades and Reserves.

 

[eth-dog]

Due to lack of regular volunteers we now pay for 'club' officials:

Seniors - boundary and goal (most weeks) and timekeeper

Res - field, boundary, goal and timekeeper

Thirds - field, boundary and goal (have time keeper volunteer)

Womens - field (on occasions), boundary and goal ( have timekeeper volunteer)

We pay - $150 field, $50 boundary, $40 goal and $40 timekeeper.

....... and user pay VAFA umpires at thier set rates when allocated.

All clubs now understand the value of volunteers more than ever...... especially in lower divisions

Chump

Eesh. Much more than we do. We only pay field and boundary (if we have enough players spare we usually get one to boundary)

 

[JimmyR20]

Eesh. Much more than we do. We only pay field and boundary (if we have enough players spare we usually get one to boundary)

If there is anywhere to throw club money imo it is here.

 

[Phantom Strobler]

I think it's funny that clubs find it hardest to get a time keeper. Boundary and goal in miserable conditions is terrible. At least most clubs have a weather proof timekeepers area. I did it for 40 years and got to meet a lot of old hands from clubs, especially the bloke from Willy who used to bring his own siren and car battery.

If there is anywhere to throw club money imo it is here. people don't like time

 

[bedford]

I think it's funny that clubs find it hardest to get a time keeper. Boundary and goal in miserable conditions is terrible. At least most clubs have a weather proof timekeepers area. I did it for 40 years and got to meet a lot of old hands from clubs, especially the bloke from Willy who used to bring his own siren and car battery.

Yes he still did not long ago , what club were you time keeping for then phant

 

[AM]

It happens a lot with field umpires, the Eastern have done it quite a lot, not sure this year but in recent seasons it has been pretty much a regular thing of running 2 games a day at all levels. Their Premier umpires would be running the senior game after backing up from the reserves or sometimes they’d run the 19s then get a break but that makes it a very long day.

Thanks 09.

That seems almost systemic and subpar. Had a quick gander at the SNFL appointments. Could only find a couple of instances of ressie/senior doubling up over the four divisions and in one case the ump was running with a team of three in one of them.

Think you'd be hard-pressed to find an ump admin body that says doubling up is their preferred model.

My take on the VAFA admin is they are focused on filling the rosters for senior, under, and women's teams. As it should be. And they have a way to go there.

There was a time not so long ago when a volunteer meant volunteer, club official or not. Gave their time freely and were out of pocket doing it. Coughing up shekels for fulfilling a function, umpiring included, wasn't thought of. Seems from a few posts her times have changed. Agree that volunteers are precious commodities.

 

[AM]

We are lucky as we have a club legend do it for nothing

Bring back Finey, I say.