Canterbury AFL (CAFL) will go back to the future in season 2024 with a return to two (2) field umpires controlling each men’s game, as opposed to the three umpire system which has been in place for the past few seasons.
The CAFL committee have decided that to assist with the overall experience of the game for the players, it is feasible and with no less benefit to have each game umpired by two field umpires. This will give each field umpire greater involvement in the game, as well as likely reduce confusion between the umpires as to who’s decision it might be to make on occasions when the ball is in play on the field where two umpires are close to the action.
With the removal of the third field umpire comes the ability to increase the number of boundary umpires each game, further enhancing the game experience for players and spectators alike. Thus each men’s game will now generally have a minimum of three boundary umpires, with some games likely to have four available.
CAFL is the only AFL competition in NZ to have both field and boundary umpires impartial to both teams playing, which the committee is very proud of being able to continue to provide this environment.
It is likely comes finals time that the three field umpire system will be retained, to ensure the games are umpired at a high a standard as possible, without losing the ability to have at least three boundary umpires in place.
If you’re keen to become involved with CAFL as an umpire of any sorts, including goal umpire, please contact the CAFL president, Matt Cawley, on president@canterburyafl.co.nz