East Fremantle Football Club

AFL Coaches will shake hands with the umpires prior to each game of the upcoming 2010 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, to deliver a message on the importance of respect towards umpires for all levels of the game. The AFL Coaches Association (AFLCA) held its AGM in Melbourne last week, at Etihad Stadium, and CEO Danny Frawley said the 16 AFL coaches were united in wanting to do something that will have an impact at community level.

Coaches and umpires have previously met in the team rooms but in 2010, at the request of experienced coaches such as Mick Malthouse, they will meet in the middle of the ground prior to the start of play. “While AFL coaches are aware of their responsibility in educating community coaches, all coaches can influence players, supporters, parents and administrators as we strive to provide a positive match day environment for all participants, including umpires,” Mr Frawley said.

“We believe all coaches need to lead the way in treating umpires with respect and should endeavor to build good relationships with their local umpires. ”Mr Frawley said the AFL Coaches were acutely aware that umpiring at community level continues to struggle to keep up with the growth of the game.

Umpire recruitment is made more difficult, he said, when up to 25 per cent of umpires nationally walk away from umpiring away each year.  Many of these umpires do so due to abusive and poor match day environments that sometime exist.

While AFL Senior Coaches shaking hands with umpires will begin in round one this year, ‘AFL Umpire Appreciation’ Round in Round 4  (April 16-18) will further highlight the need for umpires at all levels of football to be respected. 

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou and Football Operations Manager Adrian Anderson also attended the AFLCA AGM and expressed their desire to build on the AFL’s successful relationship with the AFLCA. “Andrew and Adrian, as the senior AFL staff updated, the coaches on the Laws of the Game, the AFL view on trial rules and free agency, as well as providing a general update on current issues,” Mr Frawley said.

Mr Demetriou wished the AFL coaches luck for the coming season, reinforcing that was an exciting time with the game in great shape and with the development of teams in two new markets. The AFL would continue to look to the AFL coaches for leadership with the promotion of the game, he said.

Mr Anderson thanked the coaches for supporting the AFL’s work in improving attitudes toward umpiring. AFL Assistant Coaches will also umpire games at community level in the lead-up to Umpire Appreciation Round in Round 4.