Gather Round Umpiring
As part of the AFL Gather Round, The AFL & SANFL umpiring teams are collaborating to put on events for umpires (or prospective umpires) from across the country. In 2023, our umpiring events attracted around 500 participants and we hope to grow that number in 2024. Each event has a different focus, providing a wide range of education, training, practical opportunity and experience relevant to those who may be interested in starting umpiring through to the seasoned campaigner with many years experience. We have a wide range of presenters including high profile AFL & AFLW umpires, AFL umpire coaches, SANFL Umpiring Coaches and Staff.
Please see below a list of event details and registration links to get involved. Grab a friend or family member to come along, all visitors from across the country are welcome.
EVENT: Umpires Coach Masterclass
Saturday April 6th
12:30pm – 2:30pm
Function Room – Memorial Drive Tennis Centre
The Umpire Coaches Masterclass is a session facilitated by AFL Umpire Coaching & Innovation Manager Damien Farrow & AFL Umpiring List Talent Manager Adam Davis. The session is for anyone involved in Umpire Coaching from Community level through to the AFL If you are an umpire that is not currently coaching but may be interested in the future, this would also be a great session to build your umpire coaching knowledge.
Subject to limited availability, this also event also includes a ticket to the Double header Carlton vs Fremantle & Geelong vs Western Bulldogs beginning at 3:50pm at Adelaide Oval for participants to enjoy.
EVENT: State League & AFL Past Umpires Event
Saturday April 6th
3:00pm – 3:45pm
Function Room – Memorial Drive Tennis Centre
Have you umpired at AFL or State League level? We would love to have you attend our past umpires event held during Gather Round. The event will primarily be a social gathering, with short formalities highlighting the opportunities for you to remain connected with umpiring through coaching and support roles based on the current landscape. Don’t miss this chance to come along to catch up with former peers, in a great setting celebrating all things umpiring.
EVENT: InspireME! – *Women & Girls, Cis, Non Binary event
Saturday April 6th
3:15pm – 6:30pm
Function Room – Memorial Drive Tennis Centre
Do you want to learn how to become the best umpire you can be , and meet and connect with other umpiring women in the process? InspireME is the event for you! is a FREE event during Gather Round open to women, girls and non-binary umpires from around the country.
What to expect…
In Find your Advantage (3:15pm – 4:15pm), you’ll learn about the skills that umpires should aspire to develop, and get some tips from AFL and AFLW coaches on how to develop them from the start of your umpiring career.
From there we’ll move into Be Inspired (4:30pm – 6:30pm), where you’ll hear from female AFL and AFLW Umpires about their experiences and learnings from their time in the pathway; hear about the SANFL umpiring program and how you’ll be supported throughout your umpiring journey, and enjoy some connection time with other like minded people – you can even bring a friend!
Held at The Drive in the Riverbank Precinct, it’s only a stone’s throw away from Adelaide Oval – the first 120 people to register will receive a FREE ticket to the Western Bulldogs v Geelong game at 7:40pm to enjoy with your friends and new connections.
EVENT: AFL Umpire Meet & Greet @ Festival of Footy
Sunday April 7th
10:30am – 12:30pm
Festival of Footy – Riverbank Precinct @ Adelaide Oval
The AFL Umpire Meet & Greet is an opportunity to chat with some of the AFL’s best umpires in each discipline about their journey, training and how they approach practical situations that have seen them reach the top of their craft. Held during Gather Round, the event will be informal, with AFL umpires available to answer any questions, provide training tips, take photos or just generally share stories and experiences for those that wish to come up and chat with them. The AFL Umpires will be positioned at the SANFL stand, located at the Festival of Footy – Riverbank precinct @ Adelaide Oval. There will also be additional activations within the precinct featuring AFL players, SANFL players, Games & experiences you can be involved in. The event is open to all umpires from around the country, so grab a mate, come along and enjoy a great day out to pick up some valuable umpiring tips and be involved in a celebration of footy.