Great Southern Football League increases payment of field, goal and boundary umpires ahead of new season

Great Southern Football League umpires will be paid more money in the 2022 season, in a bid to help retain the current crop and recruit new people to the job.

Field umpires in all four grades of the GSFL will receive a rise in payment this year, while there is also a significant increase for goal and boundary umpires in league fixtures.

If two field umpires officiate a league game they will now be paid $200 each, and if there are three, they will each receive $160.

The field umpire payment has risen to $120 for both colts and reserves, while sixteens’ umpires will get $60.

The two goal umpires in league matches will be paid $70, and in colts and reserves they will get $50.

A total of $120 will be split JUevenly across the amount of boundary umpires in each league game this season, up from last year.

In reserves, colts and sixteens, boundary umpires will be paid $40 or $20, depending on how many are in action.

GSFL president Terry Eaton said the increase was part of a push to retain and attract umpires.

“There has been a concerted effort to give umpiring more support,” Eaton said.

“This pay rise was to make it a bit more attractive for people to join up. We are also trying to create a better atmosphere for umpires.

“Like the AFL, we are saying ‘enough is enough, leave the umps alone, and let them do their job’. We have put some more money into umpiring and we will deal with anyone causing problems.”

Eaton welcomed anyone with or without a background in football to give umpiring a try.

“It’s the third team — come and get involved,” he said.

“There are opportunities there, and hopefully this can help twist a few arms. I’m really keen to grow our group.

“This is a great way to stay healthy, run around for a few hours, and still enjoy the game.

“If new people want to join, we can educate them and bring them up to speed.

“Part of the reason we have Saturday and Sunday games is we try to spread the load a bit and get the best outcome for players, with league umpires doing lower grades, for example.

“So we are trying to do our best and ask for the support of the footy community.”

An umpire forum was held on Wednesday, March 9, headed up by new GSFL director Tristan Padfield.

Anyone interested in joining the umpire ranks can contact Ryan Tindale on 0417 097 963.