Basic Umpires Course a great way to kick start umpiring careers!

By Matthew Agius

As the hot summer months dwindle by, the SANFL Umpiring Department has already kick started its plans for 2011, with preparations already underway for the traditional round of Basic Umpires Courses at AAMI Stadium in February,March and April.

The SANFL Basic Umpires Course is a great way for interested football fans to become involved in their local communities as field, boundary or goal umpires. It provides an initial grounding in umpiring and the Laws of Australian Football as well as an introduction to the basics of officiating a football match.

The Basic Umpires Course is also the first step in the AFL/SANFL Umpiring Development Pathway. After completing the course, new umpires are assigned to a locally based panel, from where they are able to climb the development ladder to eventually reach League and AFL levels.

Payne Sowter is a fifteen year old field umpire who started his career at the North Adelaide SASFA panel after completing the Basic Umpires Course at the beginning of 2009. For Payne, the course was the first step in a big year of umpiring, which resulted in him being named the best first year umpire on his local panel.

“In the Basic Umpires Course we learned where we need to stand on the field, the main rules of the game and got the chance to choose whether to be a field, boundary or goal umpire,” said Payne.

“We also went outside and did some activities like ball ups, throw-ins and goal positioning. I probably enjoyed the activities the most because you can learn the skills properly.

After his successes in 2009, Payne is keen to continue his umpiring journey, and aspires to enter the SANFL Umpiring Academy within the next five years.

“I didn’t know many people when I started off, but next year I think it will be much better knowing the other umpires out there.

“My best achievement was getting a medal for the best first year umpire (on the North Adelaide SASFA panel, hopefully I’ll be umpiring SANFL in a few years – that’s where I want to go.

The Basic Umpires Course is offered to men, women and children of all ages, and is one of the key avenues to introduce individuals to umpiring Australian Football. Details are available on the SANFL Umpiring website (www.sanfl.com.au/umpiring)  Alternatively, for more information you can contact SANFL Umpiring Development Manager, Barry Oates on (08) 8161 3202 or via e-mail at barryo@sanfl.com.au