Pay parity for umps as league targets former players

Umpires statewide will get the same pay for officiating men’s and women’s matches as the league targets an increase in women’s umpires, and former players to join the ranks.

Women and girls umpire liaison - north-west Brooke Kimber and AFL Tasmania umpiring manager Garry Dunne at UTAS Stadium on Saturday. Picture: AFL Tasmania

Tasmania will be the first state to pay umpires the same amount to officiate men’s and women’s games as the game looks to triple the number of females in the umpiring ranks.

Traditionally umpires are paid more to control a men’s match, but that is set to end in 2025 as part of the game’s strategy to entice more people to umpire.

“It’s important that we can now pay umpires the same for doing a women’s game as well as a men’s game,” AFL Tasmania’s umpiring manager Garry Dunne said.

“That’s right through the majority of the league, including the junior ranks as well. That’s a really great start to help encourage more umpires to join, because they know they’ll be paid for what they’re doing.

“Across the country it’s generally like that (more pay to umpire men’s games). We’re setting the standard and it’s really exciting that everyone’s going to be paid the same, whether they’re doing a men’s or women’s game.”

Dunne said they still require more umpires in the Launceston area, and the league is keen for former players to join the ranks.

“For this region here (Launceston) there is a need for more umpires,” he said.

“We want to put a shout out to people who potentially have played footy who can’t play any more. If they want to be a part of the game, umpiring is the next best alternative.

“With the Devils coming in there’s a lot more interest in umpiring, and we’ve got a big push to bring more women and girls into umpiring.

“About 12 per cent of our umpires are women and the AFL is trying to get to 40-50 per cent, we’re working on our strategies towards that.

“It’s plain to see girls footy is growing and females in umpiring is going to grow as well.

Women and girls umpire liaison - north-west Brooke Kimber believes it’s inevitable more females will pick up a whistle as the women’s game continues to grow.

“We’d like to see an increase obviously, but we do have a number of girls which is great to see,” Kimber said.

“Football (participation) is on the increase for women, so I believe it’s only a matter of time (that more umpire).

“Some people don’t have any idea how he umpire association works. People who play football are sometimes surprised you have a club, but like any team we train Tuesdays and Thursdays, we all have that community environment as well.”

NTFA president Peter Gutwein said the need for more officials is prevalent given the changing landscape of Tasmanian football.

“At this stage registrations are slightly up on last year, but we’ve got more games and it’s a longer season,” he said.

“I’d like to see former players do it, both men and women. They bring with them an inherent knowledge of the game.

“Also for young boys and girls, there’s much more money in umpiring on a Saturday than flipping burgers.”