Experience Hubs set to connect women and girls umpires across Victoria

Women and girls who are passionate about umpiring Australian football will have the chance to connect with other likeminded umpires in their community as the AFL launches Experience Hubs across Victoria.

Three workshops throughout the year will be hosted at Experience Hubs including two face-to-face sessions and one online forum, with the first seven hubs located around the state in Casey, Yarraville, Croydon, Drouin, Geelong, Ballarat and Shepparton.

Covering topics such as teamwork, communication and decision making, the workshops will be facilitated by a State League/AFLW Umpire, with two sessions kicking off tonight (Monday, March 4) in Casey and Yarraville.

Fittingly launching ahead of Friday’s International Women’s Day on March 8, the new initiative links to the league’s Women and Girls Action Plan which at its core, aims to continually progress the game for women and girls across all levels of Australian football.

As part of that vision, it’s imperative the AFL creates inclusive pathways for women in umpiring as it strives to achieve its goal for women to make up at least 40 per cent of all accredited umpires by 2030.

AFL Executive General Manager of Game Development Rob Auld said the Experience Hubs were key in attracting more women and girls into umpiring.

“The Experience Hubs form an important initiative to help connect women and girls umpires within their region, allowing them to exchange stories, create friendships and provide the opportunity for them to hear and learn from top umpires in the state,” Auld said.

“Creating positive experiences and inclusive environments is vital to attracting more women and girls umpires as well as retaining them in the system, so we need to ensure we’re doing everything we can as we strive to achieve our vision in the Women and Girls Action Plan.

“As part of the AFL’s commitment to grow the game, the AFL Commission made the decision in 2022 to enshrine 10 per cent of the game’s total assessable revenue back into game development, and this initiative is part of this investment.

“If you have an interest in umpiring or would like to know more, I’d encourage you to head along to the closest Experience Hub, there’s many health, wellbeing and social benefits to umpiring too.” 

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE OR REGISTER YOUR ATTENDANCE

AFL Hall of Famer and National Women and Girls Football Lead, Debbie Lee said all departments within game development at the AFL understood the importance of driving the outcomes attached to the Women and Girls Action plan.

“The Women and Girls Action Plan was released in 2022 and we’re currently in phase one of facilitating initiatives to help drive participation and representation for women and girls across game development,” Lee said.

“From the initiatives we’ve already implemented between 2022 to 2023 we’ve seen a jump of 24 per cent in overall umpire registrations for women which is tracking positively.

“When we talk about priorities for the AFL, achieving our vision within the plan is vital for the future of Australian footy, and our team leading this work have done a terrific job in pulling together all the pieces for each Experience Hub in Victoria.

“I’m excited we’re now in a position to see the Experience Hubs rollout and for the first sessions to kick off tonight.”

AFLW umpire and workshop facilitator Melissa Sambrooks said these Experience Hubs will create a supportive environment for women and girls to come and learn more about umpiring.

"The creation and trials of the umpire Experience Hubs marks a crucial step forward in our ongoing efforts to develop more gender diversity within umpiring at all levels,” Sambrooks said.

“These hubs will be a friendly, supportive, and inclusive space where women and girls can see and get involved in umpiring for the first time and current umpires can learn from each other, share experiences, improve their skills and seek mentorship.

“Where once it may have been a little daunting for women to take the first step or next step in their umpiring, they can now come along to these Experience Hubs that are run by women, for women and girls with their friends and other like-minded people.

“As we strive to attract more women to umpiring roles, these Experience Hubs are invaluable in breaking down barriers, creating a sense of community and contributing to the overall growth and enrichment of the AFL umpiring landscape."

The AFL’s investment in game development will hit $1 billion over the next 10 years as it strives to have one million participants by 2033. Achieving targets within the Women and Girls Action Plan will play a key role in strengthening the foundation of our game to secure its future.

If you would like to register to attend, please click here for more information, while details for each Experience Hub can be found below.