Young umpire leaves Adelaide Footy League match after abuse from players and coaches
A FOOTY league has called on clubs to treat umpires with more respect after a teenage field official walked out on a game on Saturday due to verbal abuse.
- Footballer receives 20-year ban for punching an umpire
- Club stands behind footballer after attack on ump
- Third club in same division docked premiership points
- Northern club dumped from Adelaide Footy League
THE Adelaide Footy League has called on clubs to stop taking frustrations out on umpires after a teenage field official walked out on a game due to verbal abuse.
League umpiring manager Colin Rowston this week sent a memo to clubs saying two umpires in a B-grade match on Saturday were so fed up with being insulted, they wanted to abandon the game.
A 19-year-old official ultimately packed his bag and left the ground, while his older colleague finished the match but was “considering his future”.
Rowston, who officiated 33 AFL games, said two of the league’s other umpires had contacted him over the past fortnight after being “aggressively approached” by senior coaches.
“It is not appropriate for coaches and/or players to take out their frustrations on game day by constantly questioning or abusing umpires,” Rowston said in the memo.
“We rely on coaches to set the example for those around him.
“If you work with me on this, we will have a far better chance of achieving a desired outcome.
“If you choose to deal with it on game day, we will end up losing umpires and I’m sure the league will have coaches and clubs in front of the tribunal to answer for it.”
The 19-year-old umpire who left the match will return to this field this weekend.
Rowston today told Messenger Community News umpires made mistakes but clubs needed to direct complaints through the correct channels.
“Issues can be dealt with during the week without emotions causing further problems,” he said.
Rowston said the league’s tough stance on umpire abuse had helped improve behaviour across the competition and there had been only “a handful” of incidents this season.
League chief executive John Kernahan said players and coaches needed to remember suburban football was not the AFL and would be umpired differently.
“We’re fully appreciative of the frustrations coaches and/or players experience from one Saturday to the next,” Kernahan told Messenger Community News.
“However, the underlying issue is the manner in which a very small minority are choosing to voice their concerns.”
The league has 592 umpires, up from 513 at the end of last season.
Kernahan said the league relied on umpires having positive experiences to grow its numbers.
Division one field umpire Frank Manikas said criticism could deter young umpires early in their careers.
“We need to be doing as much as possible as a football community to ensure that umpires are turning up to games knowing that they should not have to fear for their own safety,” Manikas said.
“As a young umpire learning the craft and coming through the ranks, it can be very tough and daunting if you have not been open to criticism on field.
“I was able to get through that in my younger years and have never really looked back.”