Umpire abuse penalties to increase as part of zero-tolerance measures Wednesday, August 6, 2025 - 2:50 PM

The vision of WA Football is ‘the game for all Western Australians’. This vision isn’t just words on a page. They mean something.

The vision tells everyone that you are welcome to play, coach, participate and umpire and that WA Football will do all we can to ensure everyone enjoys the opportunity to be a part of our great game. 

Most weekends in WA, there are more than 900 games of junior football played across the Perth metropolitan and regional areas. Incredible numbers that exemplify the breadth and power of our game. The responsibility for the conduct of these games and the environment that our players, coaches and umpires participate in is largely in the hands of the volunteer leaders of the respective clubs and the parents and fellow spectators who have come along to support their teams. 

Whilst there is an enormous amount of positivity within these game day environments across the vastness of WA, there is a growing trend that everyone involved in WA Football needs to be aware of and ultimately take responsibility for. 

• A recent report conducted in WA found that 35% of young umpires are leaving our game within the first 24 months due to verbal abuse. 

• In 2025 so far, a total of 74 code of conduct penalties have been issued to junior club coaches or officials. 

• It is totally unacceptable and disrespectful for young people – and umpires in general - to be verbally abused by adults whilst they are undertaking a recreational hobby and helping keep our great game thriving. We all have a responsibility to adhere to appropriate community expectations and behaviours.  

As we head into the latter part of the community season and with these stats in mind, WA Football is committed to doing everything we can to support, nurture and protect our young umpires as they seek to help deliver games across the State. Without umpires, there is no football. 

As part of this commitment, there are a series of initiatives that will take effect immediately in the Junior Metro North, Metro Central, Metro South and Peel competitions, as well as all underage competitions in country WA. These steps will be underpinned by a zero-tolerance mindset. 

• Coach, official, parent, and spectator penalties for umpire abuse will be tripled. 

• It is a strong recommendation that all coaches remain seated during quarters. This has been trialled in South Australia with great success in managing the game day environment.  

• This initiative has been used in the SANFL Juniors competition for several seasons with great success. During Sit Down Rounds in Adelaide there has been a 60% decrease in “poor” behaviour ratings for coaches and an 80% increase in coaches receiving the maximum behaviour rating. 

• It has also led to a 50% decrease in red cards for on-field incidents, which reaffirms the pivotal role a coach plays in setting the match-day environment for players and umpires. The SANFL have now increased this initiative to most rounds in 2025 with a view to using it across the entire season in 2026.  

• Details on this initiative and the support required in the set-up of the match day coaching area have been shared with clubs 

Again, the starting point is zero tolerance to any form of umpire abuse. Ongoing education will continue to be a focus and will remain as a cornerstone of our collective approach. 

Our umpires are young people who love the game, are learning the skills of umpiring and are there to support players and clubs. As parents, coaches, and spectators, we all have a responsibility to uphold appropriate adult behaviour in how we support these young people, as we would in any other area of society. 

We’re lucky to be part of such a fantastic game and our children even luckier. Let’s protect what makes junior footy special by looking after those who make it possible. 

Thank you to all involved in our game and thanks for everyone committing to creating positive, inclusive and safe game day environments for all participants. 

Kind Regards,

Dean Horsington - Head of Umpiring WA

Tim Marley - Head of Metropolitan Junior Competitions

Daren Bell - Community Coaching Manager

Brent Sheridan - Country Competitions Manager