AFL RIVERINA TV – UMPIRES ROUND
Calls of “technique, guys, technique” ring out from the strength and conditioning coach as his charges go through their fitness circuit. Shots at goal from acute angles. Debate about Gary Ablett’s kicking style. And discussion about the weekend’s upcoming games.
On a perfect autumn evening, this could be any football team training under clear and starry skies at Wagga’s Maher Oval. And that’s the way Riverina Umpires like it.
“We’re like any other club,” says Umpire Coach Manager, Tim Beard. “We try to create an environment through our training sessions that are enjoyable, challenging and also beneficial for the umpires.”
This weekend, the AFL is celebrating Community Umpiring Round. Not only to recognise those who work the whistle at grounds across Australia, but also as a call to arms — for anyone who loves their footy, to get involved.
Who doesn’t want to keep fit, stay involved in the game they love, be a part of team and earn some money as well?
Former player Alex Manley tells the AFL Riverina TV Show, that he was a club umpire for a couple of years after he finished playing, before deciding to join the Riverina Umpires Association. He hasn’t looked back, and is encouraging other players to get involved.
“You work as a team which is really good in making that transition from football. And you actually learn a lot on where to run, and how to read the play and thinking about the best place to make a decision. Which is quite interesting when you’re making that transition from football,” says Manley.
But interesting doesn’t necessarily mean easy, according to Manley. “There are a lot of differences obviously. Probably you’ve actually got to concentrate a lot more than playing… Your decisions probably count more in umpiring [than playing]. You can probably make one or two mistakes on a football field and not get recognised but because you’re controlling the game and decisions are really important, you’re probably under more pressure and you’ve got to concentrate more.”
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