Umpire shortage back despite match payments, as Great Northern Football League sets bouncedown for April 23-24

Bouncedown has been set for the Great Northern Football League — and league organisers are hoping the local community will step up to be the person in the middle. The first matches for all grades will be played on April 23 and 24, the Anzac Day long weekend. With all preparations going well, the old bugbear of too few people keen to pick up a whistle is back, despite good match payments on offer. “There’s a serious shortage of umpires,” GNFL president Colin Cox said. “It’s looking pretty grim. “Everything else is going well, everyone’s got good numbers at training. “But they (umpires) don’t come out of thin air, and no one wants to do it, unfortunately.” He said the league had about seven or eight registered umpires at this point and was taking anyone who wanted to put their hand up. With payments for umpires ranging up to about $180 a game, it was a good way to see the footy and stay active while getting paid, he said. In the meantime, clubs have been asked to supply umpires for reserves and women’s games and may have to supply them for colts as well. Experienced Victorian umpire Russell Brodie, who officiated in the GNFL last season, has been appointed umpire co-ordinator. Brigades are reigning premiers in the league and coach Cory Foot said ahead of pre-season they had not made wholesale changes to the winning squad and would look to develop from within. Northampton won the women’s competition last season, their first title, and have kept winning coach Josh Wilson.