AFL Northern Territory’s (AFLNT) review into Umpiring, ‘Project 500’, has now concluded, with twenty recommendations endorsed and ratified by the AFLNT’s executive.
Following the public declaration by the AFL placing umpiring on the agenda, AFL Northern Territory is pleased to confirm the Territory-wide review into umpiring and the future strategy of umpiring is now complete.
The review followed a staged process to enable an organised and structured review procedure. The attached report explores, considers, and outlines the current state of play, challenges, and recommendations for identified themes that align with the AFL’s National Umpiring Strategy 2023 – 2025 across the review’s two phases, ‘Resourcing’ and ‘Recruitment and Retention’.
Analysis of previous and current National and NT projects, data, information, live observations, and stakeholder consultation assisted in the forming of the paper’s recommendations.
The recommendations will now officially be implemented and act as the blueprint to take umpiring forward in the Territory to improve the recruitment and retention of umpires.
Direct outcomes from the report include the addition of new and restructured roles within the AFLNT Umpiring department. The adapted structure and personnel are now in place to take the department forward.
- Umpiring Lead: Martin Oosthuysen
- Umpiring Recruitment & Retention Lead: Kylie Podlaha
- Umpiring Coordinator: Jess Woolfood
AFLNT Head of Community Football, Leigh Elder, is pleased to release the recommendations. “Umpires are an integral part of the game of Australian Rules Football. We’d like to thank internal and external stakeholders who contributed to the report during the consultation process.”
“We look forward to seeing the recommendations come to fruition over the next 6-12 months and growing the pathway for umpires in the Northern Territory.”
The review’s report can be found here
With just over two weeks until the 2023/24 TIO NTFL Premier League competition commences, AFLNT encourages all those who are interested in umpiring in the Northern Territory to express their interest via aflnt.com.au.