Official Match Day Duties

Coaches and Team Managers

These roles are appointed to the team for the season, and are a bit too lengthy to be posted here. If you are interested in a coaching or team management role, please speak to a current coach or team manager, or to a committee member.

Boundary Umpire

· One umpire is provided by each team

· Boundary Umpire must wear a white shirt/top and carry a whistle.

· Boundary Umpire has to follow the general course of play around. When the ball goes out of play they signal to the Field Umpire by blowing their whistle and extending both arms at shoulder height.

· When directed by the Field Umpire they must then throw the ball back into play.

Goal Umpire

· One umpire is provided by each team

· Goal Umpires stand between the large goal posts, behind the boundary line, and are to wear a white coat (supplied by the club).

· If a goal is scored, two flags (supplied by the club) are waved. If a point is scored, one flag is waved. The goal umpire at the opposite end of the field to which a score is made mirrors the flag-waving of the scoring end.

· Each goal umpire records on their scorecards (supplied by the club) all scores made at both ends of the field. A goal scores six (6) points, a behind or point scores one (1) point

Time Keeper and Scorer

· One Time Keeper is provided by each team

· The Time Keeper is responsible for matches commencing and running on time so the umpire can watch the game and not his watch.

· At home games the Time Keeper operates the siren and is responsible for maintaining

the scoreboard. At WT Petersen Oval (Brunswick Street) it's best to have a separate Scoreboard Operator.

· At both home and away games the Time Keeper records all scores on the scorecard (supplied by the club). The scorecard is handed to the Field Umpire at the end of the game.

Scoreboard Operator (home games only)

· The Home Team is responsible for providing a Scoreboard and someone to keep the score displayed accurate. Formally the Time Keeper is responsible for keeping the scoreboard accurate and up to date, however at Fitzroy's grounds another parent (or responsible younger person) is typically needed as the scoreboard and Time Keeper are usually some distance and/or flights of stairs from each other.

Umpires Escort and Interchange Steward (home games only)

· An adult Umpire Escort must be supplied by the Home Club. The Interchange Steward acts as the Umpire Escort and must wear a white coat (supplied by the club).

· The Umpire Escort walks the Field Umpire/s from the field at half time and after the match and stands with the Field Umpire at quarter and three quarter time.

· The Interchange Steward records the jumper number of each player going onto and off the field, as well as the time they change.

Team Runner

· There is only one Runner per team and they wear the yellow Yarra League issue vest.

· Sole duty is to deliver the coach's message and then take the most direct route back to the coach immediately after delivering the message.

· Only two messages can be delivered during any one trip onto the field. Any more than this is construed as coaching, and is illegal.

Fancy yourself as a goal ump?

How about a boundary umpire?

Game Day Roles - Checklist

1. Coach

2. Team Manager

3. Boundary Umpire

4. Goal Umpire

5. Timekeeper and Scorer

6. Interchange Steward and Umpire Escort (home games only)

7. Trainers (maximum of two)

8. Runner

9. Orange Person

10. Scoreboard Operator (home games only)

Trainers

· Fitzroy prefers two Trainers for each team. One is located near the Coach and Interchange Area, the other on the opposite side of the field near the pavilion.

· Ideally at least one (l) trainer will have at least level 1 first aid certificate

· Trainers wear green Yarra League issue vests.

· The Trainer's duty is to attend to injured players and then immediately leave the ground. However, Trainers also act as Water Carrier and take drinks to players.

· They are not to carry coach's messages and are not to speak to the Umpire(s) or opposition players.

Orange Person

· The Orange Person does not need to wear any uniform or identifying clothing.

· Their role is to provide oranges (cut into quarters, or eighths for younger players) to players at half and three-quarter time.

· A large container with a secure-fitting lid is recommended for this purpose.