Umpires

Update for all Joeys from SSNA Umpire’s Convenor

1.  ALL UMPIRES – SENIOR AND JUNIOR – MUST BE REGISTERED WITH A CLUB IN THE SSNA.  THESE CAN BE NON-PLAYER REGISTRATIONS, BUT THEY MUST HAVE A CURRENT MYNETBALL NUMBER AND BE UP TO DATE ON FEES

• SSNA want umpires to clearly print their name (not sign) on the SHEET and will be checking for completion; otherwise, a team will lose points.
• Due to insurance obligations, there will be NO LAST MINUTE PARENT UMPIRES who are unregistered! — ALL TEAMS ARE TO BE ADVISED

2.  ALL UMPIRES WHEN ROSTERED ON A GAME MUST INTRODUCE THEMSELVES TO THE OTHER UMPIRE AND STAND TOGETHER AT BREAKS

• In the breaks, umpires should chat about the game and, if necessary, about players and may confer if they are having difficulties and/or anticipate that the disciplinary system will need to be put in action.

3.   THE NEW DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE UNDERSTOOD BY UMPIRES, MANAGERS, PLAYERS AND COACHES 

• IN GAME MANAGEMENT (without whistle) – a verbal cue can be given to instruct a player to cease a certain behaviour such as: pushing or shoving another player, continual contact, verbal decent, etc. (i.e. ‘THAT’S ENOUGH GOAL KEEPER!  SETTLE IT DOWN GIRLS!’)
• UNDER THE NEW DISCIPLINARY ACTION (with a whistle) – as an umpire, you set in place a series of events:
  • Penalise as normal
  • If the issue is repeated with intent or dissent –> CAUTION –> Blow Whistle; Caution player for action; Penalise; Play – the significant thing here is that Caution can only happen once and is binding across  both umpires which means.
  • The ONLY next option available to either umpire on the same player is a WARNING – Blow Whistle; Warn a player; penalise; Play
  • The ONLY next option available to either umpire on the same player is SUSPEND* – (SSNA Local Rule is the next 4 Centre Passes) Manager to be aware and count! Please note:  If a player is suspended, the two umpires, the player, a club exec and a panel of  SSNA officials will attend a meeting before the player can take the court again next round (known as Judiciary)
  • The ONLY next option after a player returns, if the player continues behaviour is ORDER OFF* – above Judiciary will be convened
• *No substitute is permitted and the player’s position is left vacant for the four centre passes or the remainder of the match (which ever applies).
• In the event that this player is the Centre, one player must move to play as centre and the position of this player is left vacant for the remainder of the match.
• Swearing or Dissent can initially attract a penalty pass, but if it continues then the above disciplinary action will commence
• Final note is that any penalty for Intimidation is an immediate CAUTION – no lesser penalty exists

4.  BLOOD (CALLED BY UMPIRE OR PLAYER) OR INJURY (CALLED BY ON COURT PLAYER) DRAW THE SAME SERIES OF EVENTS

• Players MUST LEAVE THE COURT (no drink, cuddle, fix by manager, mum, dad, primary carer)
• Players may be replaced, but do not have to be
• Players can – once treated and provided a space is left vacant – return to the vacant position after a goal (before the next Centre Pass and after checking in with umpire)
• If replaced, Players must wait for the next ¼ break or injury time to substitute back into the position
• NO TREATMENT IS TO OCCUR ON COURT OR COURT EDGE ANYMORE
• EXCLUDING IF IT IS A SERIOUS INJURY AND THE PLAYER SHOULD NOT BE MOVED – Please use your discretion as player welfare is the most important thing.

If you are playing in a situation with 4/5 original players, and this injury takes you down to 4 original players for a short period of time, then the game can continue.  However, if player is injured and bound to be off until the end of the game, then the game is forfeited

5.  SCORERS MUST STAY BESIDE FOR THE OTHER SCORER THE DURATION OF THE GAME

SSNA ADVISES THAT SCORERS ARE TO PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO UMPIRE HAND SIGNALS AS THERE IS NOW NO WHISTLE FOR GOALS – JUST AN ARM SIGNAL

6. COACHES ARE ADVISED TO REMIND ALL PLAYERS THAT THERE IS NO LONGER THE CALL OF “PENATLY PASS OR SHOT”

• If a player in the shooting circle is awarded a FREE PASS they cannot shoot, they must pass the ball to another player
• If a player in the shooting circle is awarded a PENALTY PASS this is deemed to be an option to pass to another player or shoot

7. COACHES ARE ADVISED TO REMIND ALL PLAYERS THAT AS THERE IS NO LONGER THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE SANCTIONED PLAYER TO STAND BESIDE, THE UMPIRE HAS DISCRETION TO SET THE PENALTY WITH THE PLAYER WHO TAKES UP THE POSITION AND PLAY CONTINUES FROM THAT MOMENT

• This is good, as you don’t have to wait or be held by a player delaying but in essence this also means that if a player who takes up the position then decides (let’s say under encouragement from the sideline) to put the ball down, it could be deemed that it is play on, as the penalty was set. (so the opposition could grab the ball) THEY IMPLORE COACHES NOT TO COACH THIS INTO THE PLAYERS AS IT IS NOT IN THE SPIRIT OF THE GAME.
• Or if they decide to shoot and miss then it doesn’t get taken back.  So there are a lot of decisions to be made by on court player and coaches should be encouraged to discuss it with their teams.

8. MANAGERS ARE ASKED TO BE AWARE OF THE DEMEANOUR OF THE SIDELINE AND OF THE WELFARE OF UMPIRES

• It would be a good idea if Managers let all parents know that the umpires will run the game to the best of their ability and their best knowledge of the rules
• Parents regardless of their understanding of the rules should not yell umpiring calls out loud
• If there is a rowdy parent/coach/manager or sideline, managers are to call a Joeys Club official
• NB: Joeys are asked to have an Exec at the courts across the day to take such calls – perhaps this could be put on the umpire roster.

You or the umpire can send for SSNA, however SSNA are asking not to request help from them if a parent thinks their daughter is being bullied (because she possibly is under tight defence, which is legal). If SSNA are called, they will be broadcasting for an EXEC member anyway so best that Managers or Umpires call for EXEC first, regardless of which team/sideline is the issue. SSNA would like to ensure that umpires all understand that if serious issues are experienced, they would prefer to be called 1^stquarter – not 4^th!

Trivial complaints should always be handled by Managers in the first instance.

9. COACHES ARE REMINDED THAT THEY ARE TO POSITION THEMSELVES ON THE LEFT HAND GOAL THIRD OF THE COURT WHERE THE UMPIRES ARE LESS LIKELY TO PASS THEM – THEY ARE NOT TO WALK UP AND DOWN THE SIDELINE WITH THE PLAY.

Thanks for your attention to this. The more the parents, managers and coaches know about the expectations and rules (and behave accordingly) the better we look as a club.