AFL GM set to host ‘come and try’ sessions for budding umpires

By Alexander Dabb

Mar 11, 2025

AFL Goulburn Murray is encouraging anyone who might be interested in umpiring to attend one of its ‘come and try’ sessions around the region this week. Photo: Supplied.

Budding umpires across the Goulburn Valley will have a golden opportunity to get their officiating journey under way this week, with AFL Goulburn Murray hosting a number of ‘come and try’ sessions around the region.

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Whether you want to be blowing the whistle, running the boundary or waving the flags at either end, the sessions, which will be held on Thursday, March 13 in Benalla, Seymour, Kialla and Moama, as well as Tuesday, March 18, in Kyabram, will cater to all three umpiring disciplines.

AFL GM regional director of umpiring Andrew Moore said no experience or fitness level was necessary, with anyone interested encouraged to attend the sessions to get a feel for what umpiring was all about.

“The come and try session is an introduction to umpiring,” he said.

“If you know which discipline you would like to do, you can try that discipline, otherwise you can have a go at all three and see if you like it and see what what umpiring’s about, whether it be field, boundary or goals.

“(The session will consist of) just doing some basic skills (to get a feel) of what umpiring is.”

There were a multitude of reasons umpiring was an attractive prospect, Moore said, with financial compensation chief among them for many, although it also provided young people in particular with essential skills as they headed towards full-time employment.

“People umpire for different reasons, some for the fitness aspect, and lots of people umpire for a little bit of extra cash,” Moore said.

“You get paid pretty well to umpire footy, but you also get to keep involved in the game, and particularly for younger people, (you learn) some great life skills, improving communication and working in, not stressful environments, but environments where you’re under pressure.”

The sessions are a no-strings-attached look into the world of umpiring, which Moore said was the perfect way for attendees to potentially discover something they were passionate about without having to worry about any obligations.

"There’s no commitment if you turn up,” he said.

“It’s just all about seeing what umpiring is and what we can provide for you, and it’s a great opportunity to find out if it’s something you might like to do.”

Sessions will get under way at 6pm on Thursday, March 13, at Benalla Showgrounds, Kings Park in Seymour, Jack Eddy Oval in Moama and Kialla Recreation Reserve, while Kyabram P-12 College will host a session at 6pm on Tuesday, March 18, with all ages welcome.