Your chance to join football umpiring ranks

As football clubs in the region prepare for a new season, the Lower South West Football League has put a call out for more umpires.

Last year, the league began complying with the umpire accreditation process in line with AFL guidelines.

League umpire coach Hayden Rice said the move would help lift the standard of umpiring in the region.

“We had a pleasing start last year, it was a good kick start,” he said.

“It should naturally follow on that umpires are better equipped in a game that has a lot of grey areas.

“Plus it helps to understand the laws of the game.”

League umpire director Spencer Roberts said the league would also use umpires from Perth and Peel to fill gaps when available, but clubs would also have to supply club umpires to fill in for colts and reserves.

“There will need to be some patience for newcomers who are adjusting to umpiring,” he said.

Mr Roberts and Mr Rice also said in addition to enriching the league, there were also financial, social and fitness benefits to umpiring. Umpires train at Imperials Oval from 5.30pm on Tuesdays.