THERE’S a potential gap in the market for elite level flag wavers, according to Ballarat Football Umpires Association senior field coach Roger Le Grand.
With the BFUA currently in need of more goal umpires for the 2016 season, Le Grand said there was a similar shortage in the Victorian Football League ranks.
And from there, the AFL is the next step.
“It’s really a career path to the AFL if someone wanted to,” Le Grand said.
Le Grand said the number of field and boundary officials within the BFUA’s ranks were good, but it could do with a boost in goals.
“We are certainly tracking okay, but we need more,” he said.
“To cover all the leagues and all the games, we definitely need more. If we can’t, it will mean a few games will miss out on senior goal umpires.”
Le Grand said anyone interested in taking up umpiring should contact new AFL Goldfields BFUA operations manager and administration officer Gary Learmonth on 5333 1977.
