As of this week the association will launch two more training bases at Echuca-Moama and Cobram-Barooga to cater for new and existing members in the northern parts of the region.
The Echuca-Moama training sessions will take place at Jack Eddy Oval (home of Moama Football Netball Club), while the Cobram-Barooga sessions will be held at Scott Oval (home of Cobram Football Netball Club).
These locations will add to three existing umpire training locations in Shepparton, Kyabram and Seymour and will give umpires in both twin towns a chance to train at a local venue rather than having to travel extended distances.
The thought process behind adding these two bases stems from the association’s want to have a presence throughout the entire region and make umpiring accessible for all that want to give it a go.
AFL Goulburn Murray regional director of umpiring Andrew Moore said this development signified an exciting new era for the GVFUA.
“We wanted to get as many people in the region within half-an-hour of a training base, so by opening these two new bases we hope that we will see more people get involved in umpiring,” Moore said.
“A lot of work went into getting this idea off the ground and we have since had a lot of support from our leagues, which has been great.
“It’s something we noted at the end of last season to make umpiring more accessible and less Shepparton-centric, so to be in this position now where we can launch these two new bases it is very exciting.”
As for the expected benefits that will come from these two new bases, Moore said greater accessibility would make for a higher quality of umpiring across the region.
“Hopefully these two new bases make umpiring more accessible and in turn increases umpiring numbers across the Goulburn Murray region,” he said.
“The result of that would be a higher standard of umpiring as more people get access to our coaching, which would then bring about a higher quality of footy in the region.
“We've had a bit of interest from people in those areas (Echuca and Cobram), along with a few old umpires wanting to get back into it, so it is very exciting for us.”
But while participation rates are set to rise, Moore said there was always room for new umpires.
“We aren’t looking too bad at the moment (numbers-wise), but we are always on the lookout for new people,” he said.
“We’ve got a number of come and try days coming up at the end of the month and the female academy beginning as well, so it is a really exciting time for us.
“Umpiring can cater for every single person whether you’re young, old, a runner, not a runner, you love footy, you know the rules, you don’t know the rules, we can accommodate for you.
“It’s a great community to be part of and we would love to have you.”
