UMPIRES

WJFA UMPIRING GROUP

 The Waverley Junior Football Association Umpiring Group is affiliated with AFL Victoria and AFL National.  It enjoys the benefits of affiliation with peak umpiring bodies on a state and national basis, including umpire accreditation, mentoring, and the recently introduced “Mates” Program where junior umpires are matched to an existing senior list AFL umpire.

 Umpiring is a chosen sport and participation is for enjoyment and success.  Umpiring provides structured learning, national accreditation and recognition and for those who wish to progress, a career path through to senior football including TAC Cup, VFL and AFL.

 The WJFA is an entry level umpiring group and therefore has a mix of new umpires aged from 14 upwards.  There is also a senior list of umpires, many with in excess of 200 games experience.

 The development of new umpires is a priority for the group and is based upon three themes or principles that seek to develop umpires as competent and confident officials of the game.  The key principles

Preparation

• Training
• Presentation
• Communication
• Accreditation

Improvement

• Feedback
• Values
• Coaching
• Promotion

Enjoyment

• Reward
• Recognition
• Self esteem

 The group trains each Thursday evening at Pinewood Reserve, Mt Waverley, the session is a mix of fitness and skills training, the latter incorporating positional drills and decision making exercises.

 All games occur on a Sunday and the age group covered by the umpiring group in the WJFA and as a supplier of umpires to the YJFL is from Under 9 to Colts.

 Recruitment is sourced through local media and football clubs with large numbers of current footballers joining the umpiring group.

 The group is administered by John Taylor and Peter Power