Ground Marshal's Guide to Football Victoria Community Football 2026

From the 2026 Football Victoria Ground Marshal Handbook, for all teams:

• Wear a hi-vis vest that clearly shows the role of Ground Marshal. You must always wear a clearly identifiable uniform (the vest) and be visible.
• Arrive no less than 30 minutes before every kick-off.

From the 2026 handbook, before kick-off check that:

• balls cannot get through the goal nets, especially the bottom of the side netting;
• corner flags are safe, placed straight up and down, and not easily knocked or blown over;
• there is 3 m clearance from the pitch to dangerous objects such as trolleys, ladders, bikes and prams.

Additional checks for U12 to U18 and Seniors:

• at least 9 chairs in each technical area;
• the stretcher and ice packs are placed between the technical areas just behind the halfway flag (if there is not enough equipment, know exactly where to get the stretcher or ice if needed);
• match balls are used only for match play, not for team warm-ups or for other kids to play around with;
• meet the referees and show them to their change room and the field of play.

The 2026 handbook says the home team ground marshal should:

• Introduce themselves to the opposition team(s) and match officials and be their point of contact with the home club, introducing any other relevant club contacts.
• Introduce themselves to the referee of the allocated field (see the referee question for what to explain).
• Make it clear to match support and players that shouting negative comments, voicing criticism to players or spectators, or pointed questioning of referees is not allowed at the club's home grounds.
• Know where the first aid facility and stretcher are located if they are not in the technical area.

From the 2026 handbook:

• The ground marshal is the only person permitted to approach the referees.
• Always escort the referee from the referee room, pavilion or clubrooms to the field, including before the match, at half time and after the match.
• While escorting, do not give feedback on the referee's performance.
• The home marshal introduces themselves to the referee of the allocated field and explains where the field, referee rooms, toilets, canteen and changerooms are.
• On arrival, meet the referees and show them to their change room and the field of play (listed under the extra pre-match checks for U12 to U18 and Seniors).
• Keep the code of conduct sign in position in a highly visible area at all times.

Under the 2026 handbook, during the match you must:

• Keep the exclusion zone (1.5 m from the sideline) clear of people (including coaches) and bags. Only assistant referees are allowed inside it, and players during an interchange.
• Keep the area between the technical areas clear. Only Ground Marshals are allowed there.
• Make sure substitutes wear bibs or similar, especially if they are standing.
• Ask animal owners to secure unleashed dogs in the designated areas, to minimise risk to the animal, players, officials and spectators.
• Position yourself in your assigned area and act as an "active" observer, circulating around your allocated fields to stay visible.

Anyone expelled for ongoing misbehaviour may come no closer than the carpark.

The 2026 handbook sets out this process for disrespectful or negative behaviour towards a referee or assistant referee:

1. Respectfully ask the person or group to stop, reminding them that criticism or strong questioning of referees is not allowed.
2. If it continues, instruct them to cease immediately. If possible at this point, try to get another parent to start videoing the behaviour on their phone.
3. If the person is not the team coach, involve the team coach to help end it. If it is the coach, ask their Team Manager or the visiting Ground Marshal to assist.
4. If it continues, expel the person or group from the ground immediately. The carpark is the closest they are allowed to be.
5. If they refuse a reasonable instruction, respectfully tell the referee the game is to be postponed until they comply. If they still refuse, the referee may immediately abandon the fixture. Do not engage further: collect playing equipment such as match balls and leave with the referee.
6. Report the misconduct, including disputes and foul and abusive language, on the Incident Report Form.

No. The handbook says a ground marshal must not remove people by force, as this may be referred to or investigated in line with the GDT (the Football Victoria GDT By-Law that governs discipline).

Other limits on the role:

• You must not consume alcohol or be under the influence of alcohol, and must not smoke or vape, while performing your duties.
• A committee member and/or the club's MPIO will always be in attendance as the "go to" person to support you and advise on action whenever you feel ill equipped to handle a situation.
• You must not work in the technical area coaching or managing a team while on duty as a ground marshal.

The handbook says to report misconduct, including disputes and foul and abusive language by any persons at the ground, on the Incident Report Form available on the Football Victoria website.

Football Victoria's reporting and forms page says all misconduct must be reported to FV Discipline using the Discipline Match Incident Report Form (an online form), within 48 hours of the fixture.

Separately, a dispute about the Match Record can only be lodged by a club representative (Club Administrator, President or Secretary) on the Competitions Match Investigation Form, within 7 days of the fixture. FV will not review submissions from others, so players, coaches, parents and other volunteers raise those concerns with their club.

The 2026 FV Spectator Code ("No excuse for abuse") applies to each person present at an FV fixture. Among other things they must:

• respect the decisions and instructions of the Match Officials and Ground Marshals;
• not use physical or verbal abuse, bullying, discrimination or harassment, including obscene or offensive language or gestures and racist chanting;
• not carry, light or throw flares or missiles;
• not enter the Field of Play or its surrounds without lawful authority;
• not display offensive banners or signs;
• report discrimination or threatening behaviour to a Match Official, a Ground Marshal, or discipline@footballvictoria.com.au.

Any person who does not comply, or who in the opinion of the Club and/or FV causes, attempts to cause or is reasonably likely to cause a disturbance, may be evicted from the venue and banned from attending future matches held on behalf of FV.

The Football Victoria 2026 Ground Marshal Handbook gives a four-step guide to resolving conflict, because the first minute of an interaction often decides how it ends.

1. Stop: assess the risk as you approach, decide whether to send for assistance, stay open-minded, stay calm, and do not argue, accuse or tell the person to "calm down".
2. Look: ask yourself whether the person is drunk, whether their expectations of the referee, coach, players or club are too high, whether you are the focus of their anger, and whether they have just been aggressive towards someone.
3. Listen: let them finish without interruption, show empathy, validate and clarify, and be quiet.
4. Respond: stay calm, keep your language short and simple, and use non-threatening body language and tone. Say "I need" or "we need" rather than "you must" or "you have to".

In summary: listen to what the problem is for them, say what the problem is for you, focus on the problem rather than the person, and look for answers so everyone gets what they need. If the situation cannot be resolved rationally, report the incident.