AFL NEB umpires to discuss statewide pay cuts as result of pandemic

Despite the delayed start to the football season, AFL North East Border umpire operations manager Michael Bocquet said there hasn't been too many step away from their roles.

The region's umpires will meet with their advisory group on Tuesday where it will discuss the results of a survey circulated to members about pay cuts and what they would be willing to do, including the possibility of umpiring into October.

Bocquet knows changes must be made for football to be sustainable, but admitted payment is key for umpire recruitment and retention.

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"Once the season starts, that's where we start to get a few kids coming in wanting to do boundary umpiring because they see it as a part-time job. They're the type of people we want to make sure we don't lose," he said.

"Umpiring is not a pleasing job for everyone, so it (payment) helps with our recruitment."

However, making pay cuts isn't that straightforward.

"There's obviously a broad range with the Ovens and Murray being the major competition and the district leagues, there's different pay scales to consider there as well," Bocquet said.

"You throw Albury-Wodonga juniors into that as well and the different pay rates for field, goal and boundary umpires. There's a lot to take into consideration to make sure football doesn't get impacted a lot, but also the future of umpiring is not impacted either."

A statewide approach to umpire pay cuts is set to be adopted with varying pay rates from metropolitan umpires in Melbourne to right across country Victoria.

Ovens and Murray general manager Sean Barrett said the league has been reviewing all of its season costs.

"It (umpiring) is one of the major match day fees and any reductions would have an impact on whether we're able to get a season up, we just don't know where that's sitting at the moment," he said.

AFL NEB umpires officiate in Ovens and Murray, Hume, Tallangatta, Upper Murray, Ovens and King leagues, as well as Albury-Wodonga and Wangaratta and District junior competitions.