This weekend is Community Umpiring Round, a national initiative that will see umpiring highlighted in a positive way from the National competition right through to grass roots football. This special themed round gives the opportunity for all clubs to celebrate the involvement of not only appointed umpires, but also club umpires, umpiring volunteers and parents and supporters that help out their club through boundary and goal umpiring the occasional match. Each weekend NSW/ACT requires over 3800 people to Field, Boundary and Goal umpire matches across all levels of football. This requires the dedication of both local umpiring volunteers and club volunteers in coordinating the smooth running of football.

All umpires start their journey somewhere. The majority of all umpires started their journey at a club, and therefore I would encourage all clubs to not only recognise the success of players on their journey, but also players and volunteers that have gone on to take up the whistle or the flags in supporting your community competition.