Sunraysia Football Umpires Association

Awards criteria

SFUA Junior Development Squad – Coaches Award

Criteria: The Junior Development coaches award, is awarded to an umpire from the Junior Development Program who has improved throughout the season, taken on board feedback and shown great enthusiasm as a member of the program. This award is for the junior umpire who has made the most significant improvement in performance from the beginning to the end of the home and away season and has shown a positive attitude and commitment to training and lectures as judged by the appointment panel.

Decided by: Junior Coaches

Wal Robson Best First Year Senior Umpire Award

Criteria: Senior umpire 18+ years of age and is in their first year of umpiring within any league not limited to the SFUA

  • Goal, Boundary or Field umpire

Decided by: Senior Appointment panel

Barry Fechner Goal Umpire of the Year Award

Criteria: The Goal Umpire who is deemed to be the best in their field throughout the entire home and away season. This includes regular attendance at training and lectures, seeks continual improvement and is respectful to fellow umpires, the selection board and always behaves in a professional manner.

Decided by: SFUA Goal Coach with Advisor

Bob Capp Boundary Umpire of the Year Award

Criteria: The Boundary Umpire who is deemed to be the best in their field throughout the entire home and away season. This includes regular attendance at training and lectures, seeks continual improvement and is respectful to fellow umpires, the selection board and always behaves in a professional manner.

Decided by: SFUA Boundary Coach/s with Advisor

Gary Green Field Umpire of the Year Award

Criteria: The Field Umpire who is deemed to be the best in their field throughout the entire home and away season. This includes regular attendance at training and lectures, seeks continual improvement and is respectful to fellow umpires, the selection board and always behaves in a professional manner.

Decided by: SFUA Field Coach with Advisor

Bob Capp & Dave Robertson Junior Umpire of the Year

Criteria: The Junior Umpire who is deemed to be the best in their field throughout the entire home and away season. This includes regular attendance at training and lectures, seeks continual improvement and is respectful to fellow umpires, the selection board and always behaves in a professional manner. Person under the age of 18. Who is a running umpire with the SFUA.

Decided by: Combination of Junior & Advisor

AFL Victoria Golden Whistle Award

Criteria: The AFL Victoria Golden Whistle Award is to be an encouragement/recognition award that does not necessarily have to be the ‘best’ umpire. The recipient of this award should display the following:

  • Be in the development stage of his/her umpiring career
  • Umpiring in field, boundary or goal
  • Displaying an obvious dedication to a long-term commitment to the umpiring fraternity
  • Have completed the relevant NUAS qualifications for their level of experience
  • Not be a first-year umpire

Decided by: SFUA Coaching Panel

Cook Family Trophy

Background: Each year the SFUA makes a presentation to a Boundary umpire to honour the memory of Warwick Cook, who tragically died in a climbing accident. Warwick was a boundary and field umpire with both the SFUA and Mid Murray Umpires. Charlie has been a member of the SFUA for many years as a goal umpire, member of the selection board and an umpire observer.

Criteria: The award goes to a boundary umpire for their overall effort both on and off the field in meeting the following criteria:

  • Lead by example
  • Positive attitude and supportive of fellow umpires and the association
  • Demonstrates a commitment to umpiring
  • Maintain a high level of presentation

Decided by: The Groves Committee – which consists of no less than six association members and should be representative of all areas of the association. No prior nominations are required – however members may advise the committee of names for consideration.

John Maas Most Valuable Umpire Award

Criteria: the most valuable umpire award is voted by you the members. It is to acknowledge an umpire who in his or her capacity as an umpire has contributed to in a respectful and professional manner with care and consideration for fellow umpires and umpiring. The criteria:

  • Positive attitude                             
  • Attendance at training and advising sessions        
  • Professionalism
  • Leadership
  • Encouraging others in umpiring
  • Senior Members only

Nominations: From Senior members only with voting on who meets the criteria

Decided by: Voted by senior members

Alan Baldy Fleming Best Clubman Award

Criteria: The Baldy Fleming Best Clubman Award is for a member of the association who has at all times, and without prejudice;

  • Participated around the association for the betterment of the association and the members in a service providing, social or general support role in support of members at all levels.

Nominations: by Senior members

Decided by: Vote by Senior members 18+

J.V Groves Award

The JV Groves memorial trophy is the SFUA’s prestigious award. Named after one of the association’s original member, John Groves was heavily involved in football and umpiring. A life member of the SFUA and the Mildura Football Club. John was admired by all who knew him. Members are invited to nominate umpires who satisfy the entire following criteria. The award is decided by the selection committee. The Groves committee will consist of no less then six association members and should be representative of all areas of the association.

Awarded to a member of the association who meets the following criteria;

  • Has demonstrated dedication to the association and its members
  • Assists fellow members
  • Promotes good fellowship within the association
  • Sets by example the disciplines of umpiring
  • Is courteous, self-disciplined and honest in developing harmonious relationships within the association and with relevant football bodies

Decided by: Groves Committee Panel

Life Member Awards

The following criteria are essential for any member to be considered for Life membership;

Criteria:

  • Must have served a minimum of 10 years’ service (service alone is not sufficient to award life membership)
  • Must be able to show committed service and contribution in no less than three (3) of the areas shown below;
    • Administration
    • Social
    • Volunteer
    • Success as an umpire
    • Leadership
  • Must be honest and promote the best interest of the association at all times
  • Must be proactively involved in the support and or betterment of umpiring and the association.

Decided by: Life Member Panel – consisting of no more than 6 current Life Members of the association

Legends Board/ Hall of Fame

The introduction of a legends board or hall of fame is in recognition for members who have excelled in their contribution to the association.

Criteria:

  • Excelled in their attitude and commitment to support of the association and umpiring.
  • Have made a major contribution over an extended period either directly or indirectly by way of their participation and contribution and or success in umpiring
  • Completed 25 years of exemplary service (does not need to be consecutive)
  • Demonstrated, hands-on, high level of leadership
  • Demonstrated respect for fellow umpires, leagues and clubs and officials
  • Proactive in promotion of the association and umpiring

Umpires must be able to show exemplary service and contribution in no less than three (3) of the areas shown below –

  • Administration
  • Social
  • Volunteer
  • Success as an Umpire
  • Leadership