United States Australian Football League Umpires Association – USAFLUA

 

 

The United States Australian Football League Umpires Association (USAFLUA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit sports organization dedicated to the development, growth, and enhancement of umpires for the game of Australian Football.

 
 

Match Management Umpire Clinic

Reminder – 2/26/24

Greetings to all umpires and those interested in becoming an AFL umpire!

The next installment of USAFL footy is upon us and while the clubs are in the process of putting together their calendars, they are surely going to be looking for umpires soon thereafter. Plus, we already know when the USAFL Regional tournaments will be (June 15 in Columbus, OH for the Eastern/Central SuperRegional, and June 29 in Salt Lake City, UT for the Western Regional) and Nationals will be back in Austin, TX from October 11-13. We will be sending out a separate email with a Google survey to determine availability for those events, but in the meantime, block your calendars now!

As we emerge from the January winter freeze, put away our snow blowers and shovels, and put our winter gear up in the attic until next year, it is best to start shaking off the rust by getting in some training (running, sit-ups, sprints, etc.) and at the same time, review the laws and changes for the 2024 season (your board is in the process of getting these documents updated on the website and you will be notified when that takes place.

In the meantime, based on feedback received during the past season, we have already booked time for two (2) umpire virtual clinics. The first one is next week Monday, February 26th, 8 pm Eastern, 5 pm Pacific, and the second one will be Monday, September 16th (a week prior to Nationals). Put these on your calendar as well, but if you can’t make it, we will be posting the recording on the website as we have been doing for the past several years now.

The February 26th clinic has a title of Match Management, which means it is for all umpires. This is something that is important for all levels of accreditation and re-accreditation. We will be covering the formal tools (like free kicks, red and yellow cards) and probably more importantly the informal tools such as decision making, conversing with players and coaches, and working with your team (meaning the other umpires in the game). There is something for everyone and we will be using examples and telling stories of how these various tools work so that you can add them to your personal toolkit, game plan, and career growth plan..

The Zoom details are below, so please join us and bring your questions and thinking caps. We plan for one hour, but will go longer if we need to as these are key tools and we want you to have them available all season long. Looking forward to seeing everyone and everyone having a great 2024!

You can RSVP for the clinic HERE: https://forms.gle/gRsftUXQJrRq7C3Q8

Here are the details:

 

Looking Ahead to 2024

 A Letter From the President – Jonathan Mills

Greetings fellow Umpire Association Members,

Welcome to 2024! 2023 was the tenth year of our Association and it was a very successful season as we had a record number of member Umpires, outstanding umpire attendance at the Regional and National tournaments, and received many compliments on the work of our umpires from coaches, players, and observers. And with what your UA Board has planned for 2024, I am looking forward to an even better year this season. Let’s take a look at what is coming so you can begin planning your calendar…

Umpire Association Events:

February 26, 2024 – Umpire Clinic Webinar on “Match Management”

April 23, 2024 – General UA Membership Webinar

September 16, 2024 – Umpire Clinic and Nationals Preparation Webinar

October 11, 2024 – Umpire Association Annual General Meeting – Austin, Texas

USAFL League Events:

June 15, 2024 – USAFL Regional Super Regional Tournament – Dublin, Ohio

June 29, 2024 – USAFL Western Regional Tournament – Salt Lake City, Utah

August 2-11, 2024 – AFL Transatlantic Cup – Toronto, Ontario, CA

October 12-13, 2024 – USAFL National Tournament – Austin, Texas


Notes on key dates above:

We will be sending more info on the clinics as we get closer to them.

The National Team programs have been redesigned and have made umpires inclusive in their planning by creating an International Umpire Panel featuring a Umpire Liaison and a selection panel. More info on this as well as on the Transatlantic Cup is forthcoming.

The Super Regional will be huge! We hope as many of us can attend.

The Western Regional will bring us to Utah for the first time. While it may seem a bit distant and/or costly, it would make a great start or finish to vacation visiting the beautiful National Parks there :o)

And finally, as we head into this season, please keep these things in your headlights…

Start preparing now! Exercise both the body and the brain. Schedule up a work out regime that fits you. Take time to read and then re-read the laws of the AFL game AND the USAFL law adoptions and/or modifications.

Start Communicating now! If you are looking to improve your skills and advance to the next accreditation level, you need to get in touch with the UA Umpire Coaching staff early in the season so your work towards that next level is appropriate and focused.

Start recruiting now! We need more umpires in all three areas (field/goal/boundary). Talk with your local team players and fans about how much you enjoy umpiring and encourage them to consider the path.

Start planning now! Block out dates on calendars. Start watching flight prices and book when lowest. Talk with fellow umpires on lodging and transportation sharing options.

PLAY ON!

“Millsy”

Jonathan Mills

President

USAFL Umpires Association

 

2023 USAFL UA Umpire Accreditations Awarded

From Jeff Persson – USAFLUA National Umpire Coach:
 
We have had a great year in terms of recruiting, retention, and re-engaging! Now that Nationals has ended, all of the 2023 accreditation and reaccredations have been recorded in the USAFLUA database, each being good for the next four years. The 2023 accreditations, by discipline, by level (note that (r) designates a re-accreditation), are listed below.
 
Goal, Introductory Certification (fka Level 0)
Arpeet Kamdar
Orion Peterson
Cooper Waddell
 
Goal, Development Accreditation (fka Level 1)
Kevin Gier
Bob Gravelle (r)
Evan Ling (r)
Laurie Rupe (r)
 
Goal, Advanced Accreditation (fka Level 2)
Sid Caesar (r)
Mark Gall (r)
Aaron Nelson (r)
Jason Sherlock (r)
 
Field, Introductory Certification (fka Level 0)
Larissa Andrusyshyn
 
Field, Development Accreditation (fka Level 1)
Adam Alvarez
Jim Batten (r)
Jeff Blankman (r)
Simon Boyce (r)
Dave Bryant
Matt Byrne (r)
Michael Coysh
Darren Henderson (r)
Rob Liwanag
Glen McLeod
Jack O’Dell
Matt O’Leary (r)
 
Field Advanced Accreditation (fka Level 2)
Paul Lashier
Milo Lombardi (r)
Ross McLaren (r)
Seth McElvaney (r)
Kevin Murray
Steve Noble
 
On behalf of the whole coaching crew, and all your fellow umpires,
 
   ***   Congratulations to all of you!   ***

 

2023-2024 USAFLUA Leadership

President: Jon Mills – Term ends 2024
Vice President: Steve Arnott – Term ends 2025
Treasurer: Sid Caesar – Term ends 2025
Secretary: Tara Miller – Term ends 2024
Member at Large #1: Adam Alvarez – Term ends 2024
Member at Large #2: Ryan Minmier – Term ends 2024
Member at Large #3: Bevan Main – Term ends 2025
Member at Large #4: Seth McElvaney – Term ends 2025
Member at Large – AFL Canada: Richard Ogilvie – Term ends 2025

National Umpire Coach: Jeff Persson
Umpire Coach – Field: Jon Mills
Umpire Coach – Goal: Toby Persson

 

2023 Approved AFL/USAFL Rule Changes and Interpretations Sumummary Chart Link

All USAFLUA Umpires should be aware of all of the differences between the current USAFLUA interpretations of the AFL Laws, in preparation for the 2023 USAFL National Tournament in October.

2023 AFL-USAFL Rules and Interpretations Summary Chart

Questions can be sent to the USAFLUA at Info@USAFLUA.org

 

 

USAFLUA.org – The official site for Australian Rules Football Umpiring in the United States.

The United States Australian Football League Umpires Association (USAFLUA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit sports organization dedicated to the development, growth, and enhancement of umpires for the game of Australian Football.

 

 

 

The USAFLUA is proud to be partners with these Umpire Associations