Umpires rewarded with promotion to development squads

After two COVID interrupted seasons, the updated and refreshed V/Line Community Umpire Talent Academy will see the first group of umpires to receive a State League & Talent Pathway promotion. 

At the beginning of 2020, the former V/Line Umpire Academy was rejuvenated when the regional-only program was boosted to include all of Victoria, including metropolitan umpire clubs. 12 mini academies were created and aligned to match the NAB League regions that players are recruited from. Each academy contains up to 10 field, 10 boundary and 6 goal umpires who are all aspiring to take the next step from community to state league football.

Academy umpires experience skills training, off-field education and match day coaching from VFL and AFL personnel to assist in their development. The season contains additional opportunities for umpires to be involved in NAB League club training and intra-club matches, U17 boys and girl’s talent carnivals and the V/Line Cup.

The experiences throughout the year have allowed umpires to be identified and rewarded for their performances at community level. The promoted umpires will join the State League Development Squads in January 2022 and be appointed to matches in the NAB Girls, NAB Boys and VFLW competitions.

Congratulations to all the umpires promoted.