Thank you for showing an interest in umpiring and becoming a potential member of the TFUA.

About the TFUA

The Tasmanian Football Umpires Association was incorporated in 1952 and currently has over 200 members. It is the largest umpiring body in Tasmania and operates in the southern region of the State.

Umpires are appointed to the Tasmanian State League, Southern Football League, Old Scholar Football Association, Oatlands Football Association and the AFL Tasmania Under 17 Youth League. The Association also has umpires who officiate in the Victorian Football League and AFL Under 18 Cup matches.

The TFUA fills approximately 4,864 appointments each year and is always looking for new members.

Training

 When and where do you train?

Training is expected to commence late January/early February. Details will be published on this website as soon as the Executive Committee have met early in 2010.

The 2009 training structure will provide you with a guide as to how training may be conducted this season.

Pre-season training commenced in early January on Monday and Thursday nights at Soldier’s Memorial Oval (formerly Cross Roads Ground) between 5.30pm and 7.00pm. Field, Boundary and Goal Umpires all trained together. At the end of March, field and goal umpires moved to the Domain Athletics Centre and trained on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Boundary umpires changed their training nights to Monday and Wednesday (the latter night for senior State League umpires only) at Hutchins Memorial Oval, and joined the field and goal umpires for training on Thursday night at the Domain Athletic Centre.

 Do I have to attend training?

 It is strongly recommended that you train at least one night per week.

 What do I need to bring to training?

 Running gear, warm tracksuit and a drink bottle.

What happens when I arrive at training?

You will be met by an Induction Officer or a Coach/Assistant Coach who will discuss with you which umpiring role you are most interested in (ie field, boundary or goal), record your contact details and introduce you to the umpires.

It is strongly recommended that you only do a small amount of the training program on your first few nights. The most important thing is to get a feel for how training works and to ease into it. Alternatively, you can simply turn up to watch until you feel comfortable about joining in.

Do I need to sign any forms?

All umpires are required to complete a registration form (which will be available from coaching staff) but you do not need to register on your first night. There is no registration fee however there is a small portion of your match fee which is deducted as a subscription.

Is there anything I need to do on other nights when I arrive at training?

You should sign the training attendance sheet as soon as you arrive so the coaches have an official record of those who have trained.

Matches

When do the first matches start?

Practice matches begin in early March and the season is expected to commence in the first week of April.

Almost all matches are played on Saturdays. Sunday matches are generally limited to under 17s and junior matches.

What time do they start?

You generally begin your umpiring career in the 9.30am (colts) or 12 noon (reserves) time slots before progressing to senior football at 2pm. These are all Saturday matches unless a Sunday fixture has been scheduled in the roster.

Where are the games played?

Matches are played anywhere in an area between Oatlands, Triabunna, Dodges Ferry and Kermandie. There is an official car which umpires can travel in for games played in outer areas. Transport can also be arranged with fellow umpires.

When do I find out where I am umpiring?

Official Appointment Slips are issued for all roster games and finals each Thursday night following the Association Meeting. Some coaches will “unofficially” announce their appointments either at training or by email earlier in the week but these often change due to injury or sickness. This is why official slips are issued on Thursday nights.

Social

The Association has a very social side to it. We have the use of a function room at the Domain Athletic Centre on Thursday and Saturday nights which contains a fully stocked bar, snack food and large seating areas. This is a good way of getting to know your fellow umpires, making new friends and gaining experience through discussing what occurred in your matches.

A number of social events are held throughout the season, culminating in the Annual Grand Final Dinner after the season has concluded.

Uniform

Your umpiring uniform will be available in late March. We will let you know once the gear has arrived and where you can collect it.

Your umpiring uniform consists of black shorts and an orange shirt and socks. The cost of those items can be deducted from your pay. If you return to umpire a 2^nd season, those costs will be refunded to you. You will need to obtain an Acme Thunderer Whistle (with a finger clip), a pair of white wrist bands and running shoes. If you do not have a pair of running shoes, the best option is a pair of grass cats or touch football shoes with firm traction for wet weather.

Learning the rules

Each discipline has a coach and an assistant coach. All are highly experienced umpires who have either retired or continue to umpire part time.

Training nights consist of many practical umpiring drills to simulate what occurs on game day. 

In addition to receiving a rule book and written coaching notes, first year umpires also participate in a level 1 AFL accreditation course during the season.

What do I do now?

All you need to do now is to come along to training. It’s that simple. If you have any questions in the meantime, please telephone Paul Bidgood (President) on 0400 812 460.