ACROSS Australia, football faces a shortfall of some 6000 umpires.
Here in Sunraysia, the need is just as great, with the local association needing at least eight more central umpires alone to help cover weekend matches.
The AFL, albeit belatedly, took some necessary steps this year to address the issue by coming down hard on demonstrative behaviour by players on the field.
It’s not quite zero tolerance, but punishing a player with a 50-metre penalty for aggressive backchat or body language is a practical step. Players don’t like to hurt the team, and therefore let down their mates. It embarrasses them.
What has been fascinating has been how quickly the behaviour of players in the AFL has changed. A few tough penalties for players throwing up their arms in anger in the pre-season has woken them up to what is and isn’t acceptable.
Players are still able to question decisions, but suddenly it is being done with more respect. It is a far less intimidating environment.
And that is exactly the environment any sport wants to create for its umpires.
Think soccer or basketball, where the referee is respected. And will give you a yellow card or tech foul if you cross the line of what is acceptable.
Compare that to the sport of tennis, which suffers from a poor image problem when it comes to the behaviour of its players.
The obvious example is Nick Kyrgios.
His inexcusable blow-ups have been going on for years, yet they continue. And, no, swearing, mocking opponents and abusing umpires isn’t showmanship, it’s just boorish, and has no place in the game.
But Kyrgios isn’t alone in the brat stakes on the professional tennis circuit.
A few months ago German world number three Alexander Zverev smashed the umpire’s chair three times with his racquet, while screaming at the umpire that he was a “f—ing idiot”.
For this, Zverev was ruled out for the remainder of that tournament and received a fine of $52,000, but was then immediately free to return.
Name another sport that would not protect its officials who have been physically attacked and intimidated by a competitor? Ban the guy for a year, then see if he does it again?
The fact tennis doesn’t see any of this as a problem threatens its ongoing popularity.
The sport even allows players to smash their racquets in frustration and then just go and grab another one from their kit bag.
If a child smashes a chair at school, does the teacher just give them another one and tell them to carry on, or do they kick them out of class?
Tennis fails its umpires by not coming down hard on players. It enables the poor behaviour, which is then mirrored by young players coming through.
I have young children and they notice this stuff. They mimic it.
So if young footballers see demonstrative behaviour towards umpires on their TV screens, then guess what they believe is acceptable?
Umpiring can be a tough gig, but it should also be an enjoyable and satisfying one.
Back in my playing days, which is admittedly a long time ago now, the umpires would always come into the clubrooms after the game for a drink with the players. They were always thanked during the speeches and it helped build relationships, and break down any barriers.
We all need each other for the game to survive and thrive.
And that goes for spectators, too.
So, good luck to all the umpires and players across all sports as our seasons get under way.
It simply starts with mutual respect.
