Victoria’s junior football umpires face regular shouting, criticism

JUNIOR football umpires are regularly yelled at by coaches, parents and even young players, the Herald Sun can reveal.

JUNIOR football umpires are regularly yelled at by coaches, parents and even young players, the Herald Sun can reveal.

But some insiders insist it’s more to do with “influence” rather than “intimidation”.

The Yarra Junior Football League held a meeting last week to remind officials and parents of the need to treat umpires — who may be as young as 14 — with respect.

An email summary of the meeting, seen by the Herald Sun, notes “an increasing amount of abuse and criticism directed towards our young umpires”.

“This was not uncommon at this time of year,” it said.

The email notes that “most of the umpire criticism” comes from the coaches’ benches, and the questioning of umpire decisions, particularly calling out “ball”.

Some young female umpires, like Tayla Manning, are told “good on you, sweetheart”. Photo David Caird

“Ball” is called out when a player is thought to be caught holding the ball, and thus a free kick should be awarded to the person tackling them.

This was perceived to be intimidation and was to be discouraged, the email said.

“Ask yourself if that was your 14-year-old son or daughter out there umpiring, would you feel comfortable with a middle-aged man screaming out ‘ball’ in an attempt to either influence or bring into question their decision,” the email said.

The meeting was also reminded ground managers to “be prepared to stand up against inappropriate crowd behaviour and any derogatory remarks towards umpires or opposition players”.

All clubs in the league are required to provide field umpire escorts, so there are two adults walking the umpire on and off the field and standing with them during breaks.

Yarra Junior Football League president Peter Haddad said the meeting was not prompted by any specific issue, but was a regular reminder of the importance of good conduct.

Fans hurl abuse at AFL umpires at Etihad Stadium.

“We have the best run league and umpire abuse is not a major issue at all,” he said.

Umpires Association president Alan Manning said there “weren’t too many problems” with umpires, but he admitted crowds and spectators regularly called out “ball”.

However, he said it was “not that threatening.

“They’re trying to influence, not intimidate. Players also often yell out for a free kick but it’s not aggressive,” he said.

He said a number of women had become umpires and were sometimes told things like “good on you, sweetheart”.

CEO of the southern Football Netball League, David Cannizzo, said any negative treatment of umpires ­occurred in isolation.

“It’s not ideal and it might have an effect if it’s directed at minors,” he said.

But Mr Cannizzo also said the game “was as good as its ever been”.

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