LODDON Valley football clubs have been told that they may have to supply their own umpires for reserves and under-18 matches this season.
A critical lack of umpires has forced the league’s hand.
While the Bendigo Umpires Association supplies officials for senior matches in the Loddon Valley, the league is meant to provide field, boundary and goal umpires for other levels. BUA manager Adam Bourke said on Tuesday that he was aware the Loddon Valley league had “struggled for numbers in the past couple of weeks”.
School holidays and Easter had meant many officials were unavailable.
Bourke said overall umpire numbers in the region had improved since a “come and try” session held in Bendigo before the 2025 season began.
“Boundary umpire numbers are really strong; field umpire numbers are on a par, and it’s the same with goal umpires,” Bourke said.
“I’m not saying we’re overwhelmed with umpires – we always need more.”
Bourke said the rookie boundary umpires were generally juniors, some of whom umpired on a Saturday and played under-age footy on a Sunday.
The aim was for these younger boundary umpires to transition into field umpiring over a few years.
Another “come and try” event will be held in the Loddon Valley next month, with the hope of boosting umpiring ranks.
- GARY WALSH