Tasmanian football umpires are strapping on body cameras as part of a 12-month AFL trial aimed at improving on-field behaviour and reducing incidents involving umpires.
The cameras have been rolled out across two local competitions – the SFL Community League Senior Men’s and the NTFA Division One Senior Men’s.
AFL Tasmania community football manager Tom Barwick said the technology is already making a difference.
“We’ve received positive feedback from umpires and the players are curious about them,” he said.
“The vision is used for the training and education of umpires to help them make more consistent decisions on field, particularly around stoppages.”
Barwick said another aim of the trial is to determine whether the cameras lead to fewer umpire-related incidents.
Umpire Eleanor Bird said she hopes the cameras encourage more people to take up umpiring, especially women and girls.
“I’m hoping in the long run this will improve player behaviour especially towards umpires,” Bird said.
“As a young female it can be very intimidating stepping out on the field and body cameras can offer an added layer of protection.”
She said the cameras could also assist with match reviews and tribunal decisions, benefiting the broader game in Tasmania.
“The cameras can also assist with match reviews of in play incidents and tribunal decision makings which will benefit footy progression in Tassie, not only improving player behaviour but providing coaching opportunities for up-and-coming umpires,” she said.
Umpire Kain Moore said it was still early days, but he believes the cameras are a positive addition to the game.
“The work AFL Tasmania has done with clubs in pre-season around awareness of field umpires wearing body cameras certainly will help with behaviour by increasing accountability for players and officials and we’ve seen a shift already,” Moore said.
“From an umpiring perspective, it not only enhances safety but could help attract new umpires and retaining existing ones.”
