Umpire Coaches in discussion at the conference

SANFL Umpire Coaches Share Ideas

By Barry Oates
SANFL Community Umpires Manager

The annual SANFL Umpiring Department Panel Supervisors Conference was held on Saturday 12th February 2011 in the Magarey Room at AAMI Stadium.

Attendees included umpire coaches and administrators from across regional South Australia as well as those from the metropolitan and junior leagues around Adelaide. Joining those that had travelled from as far as Ceduna in the West, Whyalla in the North and Mount Gambier in the South East was a representative from Kangaroo Island for the first time in many years.

Complimentary tickets were made available to conference participants to attend Friday evening’s NAB Cup 1st round matches involving Adelaide, Port Adelaide and Melbourne at AAMI Stadium. Many took this option to enjoy an evening of AFL football.

The Conference achieved the desired outcomes in equipping junior and community umpire coaches and administrators with umpiring knowledge and information to set them up for a successful season of umpiring in 2011.

A day of varied and interactive sessions included:

• Community & Junior Umpiring Structures for 2011
• Footyweb
• Compulsory Umpire & Umpire Coach Accreditation
• Laws of Australian Football ~ changes and interpretations for 2011
• Umpiring is Everyone’s Business ~ promotion and development
• Umpiring Development & Recruitment

With many new faces involved in umpiring in 2011 the conference allowed these people the opportunity to share ideas with some of the experienced participants at the conference.  The conference also introduced the key programs that will be a focus in umpiring in 2011.

Positive feedback has been received in the past few days with the content, format and presentations all receiving high praise.

Roll on Season 2011!