Despite having a highly successful coaching system in place for maintaining and improving the standard of umpiring, the AFL has established a professional development program for umpire coaches to ensure it stays ahead of the game at community level.
The AFL Umpire Coach Professional Development Program has already made an impact in just four years, according to Jim Cail, AFL Manager, Umpiring Development.
‘The program is all about improving community-based umpire coaches and equipping them with the skills to ensure they can continue to improve,’ Jim said.
The program focuses on two key areas:
1. The environment in which the umpire operates; and
2. The approach to coaching and communicating with the umpires.
‘The AFL has recognised that we can do all the recruiting we like, but if the environment in which an umpire participates is not positive, friendly, interactive and supportive then we will lose new recruits.’
Now in its fourth year, the program supports over 200 umpire coaches around Australia.
The first stage of the program is a ‘Coach in Training’ year. In the second year the coach undertakes their Level 1 Coach Accreditation, while in the third year coaches either go into a ‘Specialist Coach Group’ or into the ‘Head Coach Group’.
The fourth year of the program sees the coach delivering mentor training to experienced umpires within their group.
The program is delivered through a series of workshops, teleconferences and an annual conference.
‘These provide an ideal way for coaches to interact, share ideas and experiences and strengthen their networks while developing strategies to improve their approach to coaching, Jim said.’
Facilitator, David Levens, from Glenlyon Consulting, believes the key to success is the program’s supportive environment and engagement with umpire coaches.
‘We believe if we get the environment right we are more likely to attract and retain people. Then it’s a matter of keeping it interesting and challenging,’ David said.
‘We provide an opportunity for people to come together, share their experiences and build on what they already know, rather than just tell them how things should be done.’
‘It’s all about growing. In year one the umpire coaches start on a professional development plan. In year two they identify a project they are going to work on related to their coaching and in years three and four they are expected to provide a stronger leadership role in the program.’
Leading by example is Brian Goodman, the Victorian Amateur Football Association Umpires Coach, who is in his third year of the program.
Brian was appointed Umpire Coach for the 2008 AFL National Under 16 Championships at the Gold Coast.
‘I had to work out a strategy to manage every aspect of the championships from the umpiring techniques, drills, fitness, appointing umpires to games and providing feedback on performances,’ Brian said.
‘I was completely out of my comfort zone, but I felt prepared and confident that I could do it because of the skills I’d developed through the AFL Umpire Coach Professional Development Program.
‘I think it is one of the best things that has happened in the AFL from an umpiring perspective. The program certainly gave me the confidence to be able to go to the next level.’
Another bonus is the retention of senior officials like Hugh Moore, who is one of the longest serving umpire coaches.
‘If it weren’t for the program I would have retired from umpiring three years ago,’ Hugh said. ‘It really gave me new lease on life and a different outlook to my coaching.’
The Dandenong Juniors Umpire Coach looks after a team of seven umpire coaches and manages the appointments for 72 games each weekend.
‘We put together a training program for their coaching and fitness skills, then go and observe the umpires each week and provide feedback.
‘Thanks to the program, I’ve changed the way I conduct my coaching sessions and we now have more numbers than we’ve ever had. I put it down to the environment we’ve created, and our philosophy of doing it right first time.’
For more information please contact Jim Cail, AFL Manager, Umpiring Development.
Umpiring
