AFL Victoria Country Community Umpire Prototype March, 2014

Introduction: As a component of the 2014 V/Line Umpire Academy Program, community umpires from Ballarat Football Umpires Association Colac & District Football Umpires Association East Gippsland Umpires Association Geelong Football Umpires League Gippsland Umpires Association Latrobe Valley Umpires Association Sale Umpires Association South Gippsland Umpires Association Southern Umpires Association Warrnambool & District Football Umpires Association Western District Umpires Association & Yarra Ranges Umpires Association identified traits and characteristics that they believed a prototype community umpire possessed and demonstrated on a continual basis. These coaching sessions were conducted in November / December 2013, revised in February 2014 and then shared and agreed to in April, Extensive lists were developed where the collaboration with umpires from other Associations was most noticeable and their final lists appear on the following ten slides.

Approach to umpiring Displays a positive attitude Respectful of the football community Seeks continual improvement Open to new ideas Provides positive feedback Adopts a professional approach Ensure enjoyment and satisfaction Assist less experienced umpires Commitment Punctual Enthusiastic Calm Composed Well presented Active listener Team player Active and positive communicator Reliable Approachable Respected and respects others Leads by example Be organised – with gear and punctuality Promote umpiring Mentors less experienced umpires Coaches and provides feedback Accepting of feedback Self-management Always doing more than is required Commitment to match-day, training & Group Willingness to get involved in Groups activities Respects the Game 1/10

Communication Skills Voice control Non-verbal e.g. whistle, signals Remaining calm whilst under pressure Talk to others how youd like to be spoken to Clear and concise language Positive body language Confident without being arrogant Respectful Clear and concise Loud and clear Strong whistle Respectful Manner Teamwork Eye contact Signals Active listener Clear signals & indications Assertive – where necessary Demonstrate a knowledge of the Laws Display an understanding of their interpretation – Spirit of the Laws Communicate with coaches / players pre- game Effective communication between umpires Confidence Be approachable Quickly establishes a rapport with fellow umpires and match-day officials 2/10

Decision Making Maintaining an effective decision-making positioning Effective communication Awareness of and attention to the process Impartial, honest and reliable Appropriate decisions under pressure Consistency in interpretations and delivery Composure whilst executing Confidence whilst executing Communicates demonstrating respect Consistent with the Laws of the Game Decisive Effective decision-making Warranted decision-making Clear and concise signals and indications Demonstrates positive body language Sharp Strong Displays concentration Displays courage 3/10

Diet Avoid fatty junk foods Discourage smoking or alcohol Be conscious of hydration requirements Establish a weekly eating plan Training – pre & post Carbohydrates / Protein Maintain fluids and protein throughout game Post-game replenishment Preparation Healthy Nutritional Hydration Jelly beans and bananas! Restraint / Self-control / Knowing limitations Pre-game hydration Match day diet Pre / Post match diet Balance / Loading Consume high energy carbs pre and post game / training Consume moderate protein foods pre, during and post game / training Replenish fluids post game / training Meet ongoing fuel needs during and post game / training Remember that:- Poor nutrition and hydration has a clear and direct impact on umpiring performance: Decreased coordination Poor decision making Decreased speed and endurance Delayed reaction time Headache, stomach upset, increased heart rate 4/10

Leadership Skills Displays a positive attitude Adopts a professional approach Projects positive body language Someone who motivates & inspires Confident Displays commitment Remains calm under pressure Role model Effective communicator Well groomed and presented Displays effective preparation pre-game Is a role model at training Displays a willingness to learn Respect everyone else Possesses a sound understanding of the knowledge of the Laws of the Game Demonstrates an understanding of the Spirit of the Laws On-field and off-field Mentors less experienced umpires Able to think clearly Is a problem solver Sets the example Trustworthy Encourages others Seen as a role model Displays maturity Builds effective relationships with other umpires Establishes effective relationships with Coaches, players and match-day officials Demonstrates strong ethics and values 5/10

Match Day Performance Attitude Knowledge of the Laws Be a good listener Demonstrate commitment Fitness Equipment – cards, whistles, flags, scorecards, flag-holders, Uniform – correct and clean Punctuality – know where to go Preparation – ensure everythings packed Confidence Composure Respect Organisation Presentation Knowledge Preparation Effort Enjoyment Positioning Flag-waving Presentation – well dressed, footwear, sunglasses & jacket (goal umpires) Sharp and crisp indications / signals Communication with other umpires Match management – keeping time pre- game Keeping the correct score Preparing a game plan Sharing a game plan with fellow umpires Undertaking an effective warm up Ground / Work-area inspection Delivery of the game plan 100% effort, 100% of the time 6/10

Preparation Committed to training Maintains an injury free body Match day preparation / Equipment Knowledge of the Laws of the Game Maintains physical fitness Right mental state Carbohydrate and Protein diet Punctuality Warm Ups – high intensity Mind – goal-setting Clean, respectable gear Effective training habits / routines Diet / Hydration Time management Improving knowledge Establishing a game plan Presentation – off-field and on-field Positive attitude Equipment checks (clean) Organisation Checking ground location, travel times Footwear Expected weather conditions Knowing the teams Knowing your fellow umpires Meeting Coaches and match-day officials Goal umpires monitoring time to walk Zoning in on the job to be done 7/10

Teamwork Help create a positive environment with other umpires Build relationships with other umpires Demonstrate respect for other umpires Demonstrate trust for / with other umpires Share game-plan discussion with colleagues Focus on the game at hand Communicate with fellow umpires Work together as a team Remain positive Assist one another – off-field and on-field 8/10

Training 100%, 100% of the time Never give up Dedication & commitment Maximise attendance Seek improvement Professional attitude and attire Attentive in coaching sessions Train seriously, but have fun! Work hard to attain benefits Teamwork (builds relationships) Motivation (yourself and others) Strive to achieve group and individual goals Extra efforts outside group training sessions 3 – 4 training sessions a week Dedicated Train as you would umpire Perfect practice… Combine gym. sessions with running sessions Goal setting Recovery sessions including ice-baths, pool and beach sessions Work hard, effort & dedication Positive attitude Adopts a professional approach Inspires / Encourages others Assists co-ordinate coaching / training sessions Assists creating a positive environment Demonstrates teamwork Leads by example Establishes strong fitness base pre-season Maintains level of required fitness in-season Ensure speed and stamina levels are appropriate and effective 9/10

Willingness to Learn & Share Committed Positive Teachable Open and honest Confident Eager Be a good listener Displays a positive attitude to learning / teaching Self-evaluates Listen to other umpires /coaches Accepts and provides feedback Engages in activity with the purpose of continual improvement Has an open mind Active participation in coaching sessions Displays positivity whilst communicating Be an active listener Encourage others Complete what is asked Approachable Respected and respects others Displays a willingness Seeks continual improvement Receptive to change / new ideas Learns from past experiences 10/10

Conclusion:- Match day performance Communication Skills / Decision Making / Teamwork Leadership Training – Willingness to Learn Approach to Umpiring Preparation Diet Conclusion:- A Community Umpire Prototype would demonstrate evidence of all categories all of the time. Identified traits and characteristics are not isolated to just one category but are often demonstrated in multiple categories.