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Jan 10
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Next Phase Umpiring Program
The Next Phase Career Transition Program is aimed at former AFL Players who would like to remain in the football industry after their playing career is over.
The AFL Umpiring Department has aligned itself with the AFL Players’ Association to identify players who feel they would best fit a career in Elite umpiring at the AFL level.
Rational
For some time there has been a school of thought that former players could become accomplished elite umpires. The aim of this concept is to investigate whether there is any merit in this belief by actually recruiting former players and coaching them to become AFL Umpires
Concept
Previous endeavours relating to transitioning former players into Umpires have generally concentrated on individuals. This proposal relating to a group of former players rather than just an individual may allow for better results due to teamwork and peer support.
The ability for the group to “network” within a team environment, compare experiences and communicate shared learning’s may be conducive to a better educational environment and outcomes.
The participants will have a dedicated coach/mentor whose sole focus will be on the development and fast tracking of these former players.
The participants would be involved in:
- AFL Umpires Pre-Season Seminar / Camp
- Training and Coaching sessions with AFL panel pre-season
- In season game day umpiring
- Specialized coaching with AFL Umpires coaches
- Training / Coaching program devised in consultation between coach and AFLUD
- Sitting with AFL coaches game day in observers box
- Attending Umpires rooms pre-game, post-game and half time.
- Club visits with current umpires. (observe presentation of DVD and be active in club training)
Timeline
The “Next Phase” candidate applies through the Next Goal Career Transition Program after the AFL season has completed. The retirement and delisting process is in October.
The program will be flagged to all prospective candidates and AFL Club Player Development Managers during this time. The promotion of the program will evolve with the AFLPA newsletter along information being sent to all players electronically.
The program is devised around a 2 to 4 year process and candidates would be placed on a ‘scholarship / contract’ for the duration of the program.
As outlined in the career path above participants would be required to reach / attain certain performance levels as they progress through the training and coaching.
For more information, contact Mark Porter (AFLPA Transition Services Manager) on 03 9926 1344.
