LOCAL football umpires are set to receive a major boost, with a Riverland business coming on board as sponsor.
Almondco recently put a proposal to the Riverland Football League Umpires Association to help pay umpires this season, plus to provide financial support in 2021 and 2022 to assist with promotion and recruiting new umpires.
The umpires’ association will create an Almondco Umpiring Academy for the remainder of the 2020 season and beyond, with encouragement awards also to be given to young umpires.
The sponsorship will allow umpires to receive some payment this year after senior panel umpires initially offered to officiate for no fee this season.
RFL umpires coach Mike Horsman said Almondco’s sponsorship will “open a whole lot of doors”.
“We were very happy when Almondco approached us,” he said.
“I have been thinking about an academy type set-up for years and years, but we have had no money.
“Some years ago we had some sponsorship, but it wasn’t for an academy like this, because we didn’t have the junior umpires.
“We have been able to build our junior umpiring ranks over the past few years, so for them to come on board now is quite possibly the most opportune time.”
Mr Horsman said the timing also worked well, with young umpires receiving more experience through officiating junior grades this season.
“We are doing grades that we wouldn’t normally do,” he said.
“We had been doing 13s and 18s, but we have thrown 15s in as well now, so it gives us a great opportunity to get these kids up and running with umpiring grades they wouldn’t normally have been doing.
“It is perfect for us and now to have some money, it is great.
“The new shirts look great and next year we will have the Almondco logo on our green shirts as well.”
Mr Horsman said while no plans have been locked in for what the academy program will include, he has ideas as to what he would like to see.
“We aren’t exactly sure what we are going to offer the academy kids, but we would like to be able to help pay for part of their uniforms and equipment,” he said.
“We would also like to perhaps get them down to Adelaide with the SANFL for a training night.
“That used to happen many years ago, but hasn’t for a while.
“We obviously have to wait for this coronavirus to go away, but it would be great to be able to take them down there for a training night and then perhaps get our kids involved with officiating some junior matches on a Sunday down there.”
Almondco marketing co-ordinator Nick Spanos said the company was keen to support local footy in what has been a tough year for community sport.
“Almondco has had a long association supporting the local community groups and sporting organisations,” he said.
“As an organisation we have supported the RFL on different initiatives over many years.
“In what has proved to be an extremely difficult year for community sports and activities, Almondco was keen to support an initiative that would support all RFL clubs by significantly reducing the financial burden from RFL umpiring fees, while assisting RFL umpires in recruiting, training, mentoring and developing the next generation of budding young umpires. This helps create a pathway for our local young umpires to insure they build their confidence and skill set.
“Who knows, maybe some of these young umpires one day might umpire at a higher level like AFL/AFLW, in the future.”
Mr Spanos said Almondco worked with the RFL umpires to decide how best to invest their sponsorship money.
“We had a conversation with Todd Charlton, from the umpiring association, regarding how best to support RFL clubs and RFL umpires for the 2020 season and beyond,” he said.
“Todd then facilitated the initiative with the various stakeholders to gain support for the concept.
“In a year where there have been some major hurdles and continued uncertainty, Almondco as a major regional business and local employer can help smooth out and provide confidence to important community activities such as sport.”
Mr Spanos emphasised how important community sport is to Almondco.
“Local sport and the health and prosperity of our regional communities is extremely important to Almondco as a major employer, local business and service provider to over 160 grower members and their families and staff,” he said.
“As a processor of premium Australian almond products, it’s crucial that our communities stay active, eat healthy and stay engaged with their local clubs and associations. Sport is an ideal conduit for people to stay connected and healthy.
“In the current climate we are proud to provide support to the local community which is key part of the SA COVID-19 road map to recovery.”