AFL Wimmera Mallee is forming a blueprint plan for an independent netball umpires group.
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The group will work off the structure of the AFL Wimmera Mallee football umpires.
Horsham and District Football Netball League raised the idea after several rule changes were introduced.
The league said club umpires had different ideas about how those rules should be officiated and called for more consistency.
The independent umpires will be under the banner of the AFL Wimmera Mallee.
Stephen McQueen, the sporting hub’s general manager, will manage the group.
McQueen said the AFL Wimmera Mallee was looking at long-term, sustainable options and would not rush the decision-making process.
“A structure has been put together but that is it for the moment,” he said.
“Chances are nothing will be finalised this year.”
AFL Wimmera Mallee updated the board of the Horsham and District Football Netball League on March 22 on its progress.
The Wimmera Netball Association is yet to provide feedback to AFL Wimmera Mallee on the plan.
“Board members of the district league want this to happen and it will eventually (happen), it just has to be given time,” McQueen said.
“The Wimmera Netball Association can contact us, too – we are open to having them on board.”
McQueen said the independent netball umpires group would start on a smaller scale.
Umpires would officiate finals matches, then A Grade games before taking on duties for other grades, he said.
McQueen said another topic to discuss was the pay structure for the umpires.
Individual clubs currently set their own pay structure for umpires, he said, but once the group was formed and operational, an equal monetary amount would be introduced.
“The independent netball umpires group will not eradicate club umpires in any way,” McQueen said.
“There will be flexibility for clubs if they want or don’t want the umpires officiating at their club.
“There will be no chance of the group being fully operational this year.”
AFL Wimmera Mallee aims to lead four information sessions for umpires during the season but dates are yet to be confirmed.
The AFL Wimmera Mallee has received input on the independent umpires group plan from clubs, leading players, coaches and umpires.
“All stakeholders had an input,” McQueen said.
“The main thing is we do not want to force it this year and have it fall over before it is ready.”
In the long-term, the AFL Wimmera Mallee will look to expand and send umpires to different leagues to officiate games.