What do I need to know as a club volunteer on match day for WA Football junior football in Years 3-6 (ages 8-12)? Goal umpire, timekeeper, interchange steward, runner and ground marshal duties.
Each team must supply a goal umpire with enough knowledge to do the job. They should be an adult and must not be an injured or rostered-off player from that team. Duties (section 25):
Goal umpires are not allowed in the Coaches Box. Boundary umpires are not used in Years 3-6 because the Last Possession Rule applies.
Each home team must supply a Timekeeper for every match. The same person can also act as the Independent Scorer.
Timekeeper:
Scoring: the goal umpires and the Independent Scorer compare score cards at each quarter break and tell the Field Umpire of any discrepancy straight away. Under the Mercy Rule, when the margin reaches 60 points the scoreboard stops at the end of that quarter, but goal umpires and independent scorers keep scoring as usual.
Years 3-6 results are not published in media and there are no ladders or finals.
Each team must supply an Interchange Steward for every match. Your job is to track player rotations and game time. You must:
You may be in the interchange area and may approach the Coaches Box if needed, but you may not be inside the Coaches Box. Both teams must have equal numbers on the field at all times, so watch the player count as well.
The runner carries messages between the coaches and players, helps the First Aid / Medical Officer remove injured players, and watches for negative behaviour from their own players so they can calm it down early.
Every venue hosting junior matches must appoint a Ground Marshal for the duration of play. One is generally enough, but where several ovals are in use the host club must make sure all playing areas are covered.
Duties (section 30):
Ground marshals are not responsible for disciplinary action, sanctions, or removing people from the field or venue. De-escalate calmly and refer serious concerns to a Club Official, Team Manager, Field Umpire or League Administrator. They must be polite and not overly officious.
Coaches Box (Years 3-12) is for: coach, one assistant coach, team manager, runner, First Aid / Medical Officer and anyone named as playing in the match (such as benched or injured players).
Not permitted in the Coaches Box: interchange steward, goal umpire, independent scorer or timekeeper (home team), ground marshal, boundary umpire (Year 11-12 only), and anyone not named as playing (spectators or previously injured players).
Identification: coaches, team managers, runners and ground marshals wear the approved League requirement (uniform, vest and/or lanyard). The First Aid / Medical Officer wears the white vest with a green cross.
Playing surface: only unbenched players, runners, the First Aid / Medical Officer, field umpires and stretcher helpers (when the umpire allows) may be on the field during play. Spectators must stay behind the spectator line: at least 2 m outside the boundary and 6 m behind the goals.
The Code of Conduct applies to players, officials, volunteers, umpires and spectators. For volunteers the key points are:
Breaches can bring penalties at the League's discretion. Team officials and volunteers can be shown yellow or red cards, and a club is responsible for the behaviour of its players, team officials and spectators.
Working With Children Check (WA): required when someone has an agreement to work, paid or volunteer and written or unwritten, in child-related work and no exemption applies. Work is child-related if its usual duties involve or are likely to involve contact (physical, verbal or electronic) with a child in one of the 18 categories in the Working with Children (Screening) Act 2004. Sport mostly falls under Category 12, "Club, Association or Movement". Clubs and individuals must comply with the legislation.
Age requirements by role: goal umpire should be an adult; runner 18 or over; an appointed adult field umpire 18 or over.
Insurance: all WA junior clubs are automatically covered under the AFL National Risk Protection Program (Marsh), which includes player and volunteer personal accident cover and public liability. Individuals are encouraged to consider their own private health and other personal insurance.
Child safety: any improper conduct such as child safeguarding concerns or grooming can be reported to the WA Football Integrity Team through its online report form.