When the Brisbane Lions face Essendon at the Gabba on Saturday night, both senior coaches and the playing group will pay tribute to the umpires’ efforts with a hand shake before the first bounce.
The initiative is in place to draw attention to umpires’ contributions in the running of all AFL games from senior matches to grassroots and community games.
The themed round is run in conjunction with the season long ‘Umpiring is Everyone’s Business’ campaign that was extended from 2010 after being so well received.
The Lions in partnership with the AFL are committed to generating support for this worthy campaign to recruit and retain umpires as the competition continues to solidify its position in Queensland.
The code’s growth in the state requires such support from clubs and fans alike so umpire numbers remain in line with demand.
The campaign is central to retaining umpires throughout the community and fostering the next generation of umpires through in line with the growth of the game.
