SANFL Juniors umpire details ongoing, sounds warning for footy’s future

Another local umpire in the state’s biggest junior footy competition has detailed the ongoing abuse they have received, saying it will drastically impact umpire numbers.

Another umpire from South Australia’s top junior football competition has detailed the ‘non-stop’ abuse they receive, sounding a warning that the issue could heavily impact officiating numbers well into the future.

The SANFL Juniors umpire, who asked to remain anonymous, is only a teenager and has been officiating games for a number of years, but said they had been subjected to ongoing harassment from spectators, players, runners, trainers and team managers since their career began.

It comes just weeks after the SANFL called off two junior matches over abuse and sent a warning to spectators, clubs and administrators that it would not be tolerated, prompting a separate umpire to come forward.

“The abuse and criticism is non-stop and it’s getting worse,” the umpire said.

“It’s frustrating and discouraging and I know there are people leaving the sport because of it, new umpires won’t stick around because they get abused every week.

“It’s just really not healthy for the sport and I think it seems to be something that’s just part of the game, because it doesn’t happen in any other sport like it happens in footy.”

Yet another SANFL Juniors umpire has detailed abuse they have received during games. Picture: Michael Dodge

The umpire said they had tried to give warnings to spectators in the past, but it had not helped.

“There are warnings you can give but from my experience it doesn’t stop it for long,” they said.

“You can report people as well but that doesn’t change what might happen the next week. It just needs to stop.”

Kate Saxon, the umpire’s mother, said she had to witnessed her child being criticised and abused almost every weekend.

“It’s just horrific and it’s constant, these umpires are kids and the players are kids, you shouldn’t be putting them through abuse. They’re trying to do their job,” Saxon said.

“They’re called all sorts of things – maggot, idiot – and it’s really hard to stand back and witness it happening but it’s also quite frightening and aggressive – you don’t feel safe enough to get involved and say something a lot of the time.

SANFL Head of Operations, Sean Toohey said abuse of umpires had become a major issue which needed to stop. Picture: Mark Brake

“It comes from everyone, he’s copped direct abuse from team managers, runners and trainers as well.”

In a recent memo sent out to SANFL Juniors clubs, the SANFL said there was no framework in place for team staff and spectators to communicate directly with umpires, and that a 10-metre ‘exclusion zone’ was mandatory for matches U11 and above.

SANFL Head of Operations Sean Toohey oversees the SANFL Juniors competition and said there was no room for abuse of any kind and that the league would act firmly regarding reports of abuse.

“It continues to be a major issue and it’s something that simply must stop. The fact we continue to receive reports of threatening behaviour is completely unacceptable,” he said.

“Umpires should be treated with respect and we hope by taking firm action now this won’t continue across the whole season.

“Sanctions imposed for breaches of our codes of conduct (which includes abuse) range from club fines and deduction of premiership points to the removal of teams from competition and banning of individuals from attending games.”