Umpiring in the SMJFL in 2015 Frequently Asked Questions

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1 Umpiring in the SMJFL in 2015 Frequently Asked Questions 0BWho can umpire in the South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL)? Age? Individuals who are in Year 8 at secondary school age, or older, are eligible to register as an umpire for the 2015 season. Fitness? A general level of fitness is required to be an umpire, and a commitment required to maintain or increase fitness levels during the season Male or Female? Males and females are equally welcomed to be part of the SMJFL Umpire Program What do I need to know about Australian Rules football and its rules? You will be fully trained on the laws of Australian Rules football, along with the By-Laws specific to competition within the SMJFL. But, if you want to get an early start, long onto AFL Community Club website > Umpires > Laws of the game Time Commitment training / game day? Training occurs weekly from early February and is of one (1) hr duration. The total time commitment on game day depends on the number of games to which an umpire is appointed, the age group being umpired and the venue. NOTE: Umpires are required to attend their appointed venue 30 minutes prior to the game scheduled start time. 1BHow do I register my interest? If you are: 1) Interested in umpiring for the first time 2) Already an umpire in another league and wish to be appointed to games in the SMJFL; or 3) Wanting to return to the SMJFL for another year of umpiring You should register your interest online by clicking HERE. Note that registrations for 2015 are now open. Prior to this time you can complete the online Expression of Interest form and we will keep you in the loop. Page 1 of 6

2 1BHow do I register as a Umpire in the SMJFL? All SMJFL Umpires are required to register themselves online. This online registration process is a compulsory requirement for ALL umpires as listed through the AFL s National Umpire Registration Process to comply with the privacy amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act You can register online through the following link: formid=37437 Once you have clicked this link, select the option I am registering to this group for the first time and ensure you fill out all sections accordingly. Once you have completed your online registration you will receive an from Fox Sports Pulse with your Username and Password. Please keep these on file for future umpire registrations. I ve registered. What happens now? Stay tuned and keep fit! As the season approaches and plans are put in place, you will be advised of how to formally register and details of the Season Umpire Induction. Until then, enjoy staying fit and healthy over the summer. 3BWhat are my Umpiring Options? Field A challenging and rewarding activity, field umpires take control of up to 36 players and call the shots on the big stage.the field umpiring career path involves three (3) progressive stages, with the pinnacle being umpiring at AFL level. The SMJFL appoints field umpires each week in all games from Under 11 through to Under 17. This includes the opportunity to umpire in the SMJFL s exciting girls competition. In Under 14 to Under 17 games, two (2) field umpires are appointed to each game. Boundary Goal For those who enjoy running or want to learn about the game, boundary umpiring is ideal. Boundary umpires are responsible for making decisions to whether the ball is in play, as well performing the boundary throw-in. In the SMJFL, boundary umpires officiate in Under 14, 15, 16 & 17 competition games, as well as all finals. In the SMJFL goal umpires are appointed only during the final series. Goal umpiring does not form part of the SMJFL Umpire Training Program. Training WHEN does training commence? All pre-season training will occur every Wednesday at from 5.00pm. Pre-season training commences Wednesday 4th February at 5.00pm at the same venue. Page 2 of 6

3 WHERE and WHEN is training held? Training is held at the following venues: Pre-season & Finals First Year Umpires - Field 2 nd year+ Umpires- Field Wednesdays & Thursdays (5-6pm) All Boundary umpires Home & away season East Bentleigh Academy:, Bignell Rd, East Bentleigh Mel 78 B5 What do I WEAR to training? During pre-season training it is often very warm, so warm suitable clothing and bring a FULL drink bottle. As the evenings get colder, wear layered clothing. This will keep you warm when you are inactive and allows you to remove layers when doing skill drills. Be sure to name all garments so your property does not go missing. What do I have to BRING with me? At the beginning of the season, umpires will be provided with the Laws of Australian Rules Football, the By-Laws of the SMJFL, as well as an Umpires Handbook, Umpires should bring all these resources, as well as a whistle and writing materials to training each week (unless otherwise advised) Bring a drink bottle How often do I need to ATTEND training? Training is held weekly and we encourage umpires to attend once a week. Preference for appointments will be given to those umpires who attend and actively contribute to training. What can I EXPECT from a training session? Training sessions mainly include knowledge and skills components. Given the vast majority of umpires in our league are young people, it is assume that they have a base level of fitness; therefore, fitness is secondary to developing the umpire s knowledge of the laws, and their ability apply them on game day. Who will be COACHING me? The Umpire Coaches in the SMJFL each have significant umpiring experience and have been provided with the coaching skills to enable them to develop the umpires in their charge. Page 3 of 6

4 How much with training COST? Umpire coaching/training sessions are free of charge to all umpires registered to officiate in the SMJFL. What happens if it is RAINING? Training is still on! If it is raining, training will be held undercover / in the club rooms. When the weather is considered too dangerous to train, keep an eye on the website and we will advise if training has been cancelled. 5Uniform What COLOUR uniform (shirt and socks) do I wear? The colour of an umpire s uniform signifies their level of experience. Umpire experience Uniform 1 st year umpires Participate in the AFL Green Shirt Program. Wear Green Shirt uniform 2 nd or subsequent year umpired less than 30 games Wear Green Shirt uniform 2 nd or subsequent year umpired 30 games or more Wear Orange Shirt uniform All first year umpires participate in the AFL Green Shirt Program. The AFL s Green Shirt Program is an umpire education and development program that aims to use experienced umpires to mentor new and inexperienced umpires. Under this program new and inexperienced umpires wear a green coloured shirt to signify that they are learning their craft and are being supported by a mentor in a similar fashion to a learner driver displaying L plates on the road. Umpires in their 2nd or subsequent year - Umpired less than 30 games To signify that umpire continues to learn, umpires who have officiated at less than 30 games must continue to wear a Green Shirt uniform. Umpires in their 2nd or subsequent year - Umpired 30 games or more Once you have umpired 30 games or more, you qualify (and are required) to wear an Orange Shirt uniform. How do I get the UNIFORM and how much can I expect it to cost? Green Shirt (1 st year) Umpires: receive their uniform as part of the Green Shirt Umpire Kit (umpire bag, shirt, shorts, socks, wrist bands, whistle, the Ultimate Umpire DVD). Orders will be taken once registrations commence and will cost around $40. Green Shirt (2 nd year) Umpires are required to ensure that their uniform is in good condition, and will need to purchase replacement items of apparel if required. This is done online at the commencement of, and during, the season via the Forms & document menu Orange Shirt Umpires are required to ensure that their uniform is in good condition, and will need to purchase replacement items of apparel if required. Page 4 of 6

5 This is done online at the commencement of, and during, the season via the Forms & document menu. How do I pay? Payment for uniform is required to be made online (via Paypal) at time of order. Unlike in previous years, payment is no longer available through pay deductions or in cash. NOTE: In 2015, the AFL will introduce green trainee bibs for new umpires commencing their career.more information to come. 6BWhere & When will I be umpiring? WHERE and WHEN you will be umpiring depends on a number of factors Developmental: You may be appointed to a game for developmental purposes eg. at a ground where you will be mentored or where your skills are required to develop a fellow umpire; Requests: Umpires have the opportunity to request appointments at particular venues/times. Where circumstances allow these requests will be fulfilled; Accreditation assessment: During the accreditation process umpires will be required to umpire designated games to meet assessment requirements; Special needs: Sometimes particular games are identified as requiring umpires with a specific skill set. In these instances we will endeavour to best fit the game with the umpire/s. 7BMentors I understand there is a MENTORING PROGRAM. When can I expect to be mentored? Each season the SMJFL has approximately 200 first year umpires and the Umpiring Department understands the importance of mentoring our fledgling talent (as well as our more experienced umpires to ensure ongoing development). Each week, based on observation/feedback at training and from club feedback, mentors will be allocated based on need. Please keep in mind that our supply of mentors is significantly less than the demand for mentoring. We will do our very best to provide each new umpire with the opportunity to be mentored at least once during the season. If you have a special request for mentoring, please feel free to approach your coach to discuss. WHO will mentor me? The SMJFL Umpiring Department have a team of mentors who have a varying level of experience in the SMJFL, the Southern Football League, the Victorian Amateur Football Association or other levels of football. All mentors have completed the AFL Assessor (or equivalent) Program. HOW is mentoring conducted? Mentoring is generally conducted with a suitably qualified person shadowing an umpire on the field during a game. The amount of co-umpiring varies depending on the experience and competence of the umpire being mentored. Page 5 of 6

6 8BGame allocation HOW do I find out when and where I will be umpiring? Umpires receive notification of weekly appointment via an online system called Schedula. Appointments are released on the Wednesday morning prior to each weekend s round of games. Each umpire must accept their appointment by Thursday evening. Further details will be provided to umpires at pre-season training. 9BPayment How much do I EARN as an umpire? Pay rates depend on the age of the competition you are officiating, and the type of umpiring you are undertaking. As you would expect, more experienced umpires, officiating at older age games are paid more than less experienced umpires which, in itself, provides umpires with the incentive to develop and increase their skill set. Pay rates start at $30 per game for a boundary umpire of an Under 14 game and up to $80 per game for an Under 17 field umpire. When and how am I paid? Umpire payments are made directly into an umpire s bank account once a month and are only made where the umpire fulfils all their report duties post match (filling out an online form). Do I need a Tax File Number (TFN)? No. There is no tax deducted from your pay. What do I do if I am INCORRECTLY PAID? We encourage umpires to check their pay statements. If there is a discrepancy, we have an online form for you to complete and we will look into it for you. Page 6 of 6