Sport
6 April, 2026
Umpires’ chief wants more women in ranks to fill number void
THE BENDIGO Umpires Association is targeting retired footballers and women to take on umpiring roles this season, as it struggles to find numbers to officiate in the six leagues that it covers.
One of those leagues, the Loddon Valley, has added to the workload this season with the introduction of Macorna to the competition.
The addition of the Tigers means five matches a week instead of four, and more pressure to find officials.
The association manager, Colin Lane, said on umpire availability, “It’s a case of never enough – never anywhere near enough.”
While the ideal scenario was providing a full complement of umpires, it was almost always necessary to have club representatives doing the job, at least at reserves and junior level.
Lane said past players – even those who might have retired 10 or 15 years ago – were ideal recruits to umpiring.
“They’ve hung up the boots, but they still want to keep fit and give something back to football,” he said.
“Maybe they’re too old for the ‘twos’, and the club doesn’t need them as a runner anymore.” Women, too, were a focus for the association.
“We want to get more women involved in umpiring,” Lane said.
While there was a talented group of young female boundary umpires coming through the ranks, the hope was to encourage more field and goal umpires.
“It’s a dream of mine to have an all-female group umpiring a match,” Lane said.
He wanted to see more women in leadership roles at clubs in the hope that would filter through to greater female participation in umpiring.
Lane said another aim was to upskill parents at junior clubs.
“Our hope would be if they get involved, they might enjoy it, and then do it with us.”
The BUA will run least two “come and try” sessions at Weeroona Oval in Bendigo in April for potential rookie umpires to have a taste of the experience. It was also offering clubs the opportunity to have senior league umpires officiate at training and talk about umpiring.
The Bendigo association provides umpires for the Loddon Valley, North Central, Bendigo, Heathcote District, Central Victoria Women and Bendigo Junior leagues.
AFL Central Victoria has adopted three of the seven rule changes that have been applied to the AFL this season.
A player who uses a shrug or fend-off when tackled will be penalised if they fail to dispose correctly of the ball.
A time limit of eight seconds will be applied to kick-ins, marks or free kicks.
And, while rucks must still nominate, umpires can restart play without a nominated ruck if the area is clear.
Local football will not introduce the last disposal rule between the 50m arcs, will not change centre ball-up procedures, will retain the 2025 interpretation of the stand rule, and will not introduce 6-6-6 starting positions.
- GARY WALSH