AFL umpire Ray Chamberlain, SMJFL umpire India Isaacs and St Kilda player Jack Billings during Community Umpiring Round in 2021.

THE AFL advises that Round Nine of the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season will celebrate Community Umpiring Week, encouraging people from all backgrounds to get involved in umpiring and promoting umpiring as an integral part of the game.

To celebrate Community Umpiring Week, the following will occur:

  • AFL umpires at Round Nine matches will be led on to the ground by community umpires, giving local league umpires a taste of an AFL match-day experience.
  • AFL umpires will attend community umpiring training sessions throughout the week.
  • AFL umpires will officiate junior community football matches alongside developing community umpires.

AFL Head of Umpiring Dan Richardson thanked all umpires across the country for their commitment to the game.

"On behalf of the AFL, I would like to thank the 16,000 umpires across the country who ensure many Australians across all ages can play the game they love," Mr Richardson said.

"Community Umpiring Week celebrates the significant role that all umpires play in our game, while highlighting the many benefits of the role including fitness, employment, life skills and a deeper understanding of Australian Football.

"We remain absolutely committed to growing the number of umpires while ensuring we provide the safest and most inclusive environment for all boundary, field and goal umpires at every game that’s played.

"Umpiring is a fantastic way for everyone to be involved in the game, regardless of their age, gender or cultural background. We are currently 4,000 umpires short, and we will continue to invest in pathways and programs to support umpires already involved and grow the base to ensure the number of umpires can keep up with the growing number of participants playing football across Australia," Richardson added.

For more information about umpiring, visit umpire.afl.