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Umpire TERMS AND CONDITIONS

I declare that I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of membership (including the Umpire’s Code of Conduct) as an umpire, and member of OfficialsHQ and UmpireAFL, as set out below (Terms and Conditions) and that the details provided are true and correct.

I understand that completing and submitting an application for membership as an umpire with OfficialsHQ and UmpireAFL, does not guarantee that membership will be granted. I acknowledge that the AFL reserves the right to refuse an application for membership without explanation.

1.  Definitions

For the purpose of these Terms and Conditions the following words are defined as follows:

Accreditation of an Umpire means registration and accreditation of that Person in accordance with the Umpire AFL Accreditation Policy;

AFL means the Australian Football League (ACN 004 155 211);

Australian Football means the game played in accordance with the Laws of Australian Football;

Australian Football Bodies mean all bodies in Australia that are responsible for administering the game of Australian Football including those at the grassroots level, the state level and the national level;

Laws of Australian Football means the laws of the game of Australian football as published by the AFL; 

League means the league of Australian Football, or governing body, in which the umpire is registering to umpire;

State Body means the relevant governing State or Territory Body responsible for the administration of the Australian Football competition in which the umpire participates as follows:

  1. AFL NSW/ACT;

  2. AFL Queensland;

  3. AFL Northern Territory;

  4. AFL Tasmania;

  5. AFL Victoria;

  6. South Australian National Football League; or

  7. West Australian Football Commission.

Umpire means the person who is registering, or the person, on whose behalf, a parent or guardian is registering, as an umpire;

Umpiring Club means the Body for which the Umpire is registering to umpire and/or hold an administrative and/or executive position (this may be a League/Commission Umpiring Department or independent Umpiring Associaiton)

2.  Interpretation

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is or becomes wholly or partly invalid or unenforceable then, from the date of the invalidity or unenforceability:

  1. if the offending provision can be read down to make it valid and enforceable without materially changing its effect, it must be read down to the extent necessary to achieve that result; and

  2. otherwise the offending provision must be severed from these Terms and Conditions and the remaining provisions will operate as if the severed provision had not been included.

3.  Rules, Regulations and Policies

By agreeing to these Terms and Conditions I:

  1. agree to be bound by the rules, regulations, by-laws and policies of the Umpiring Club (unless such rules, regulations, by-laws or policies are inconsistent with any of the documents or determinations referred to in (b) - (c) below);

  2. the rules, regulations, by-laws and policies of, and any determination of the board of the League;

  3. the rules, regulations, by-laws and policies of, or approved or adopted by the State or Territory League or Body (including without limitation the Umpire AFL Accreditation Policy, 'National Player Transfer Regulations', the 'National Deregistration Policy' and the 'Parents and Supporter Code of Conduct') and any determination of the board of the State or Territory League or Body; and

  4. the Laws of Australian Football, as they are presently constituted and as amended or determined from time to time (Rules, Regulations, Policies and Determinations). To the extent of any inconsistency between the different Rules, Regulations, Policies and Determinations listed in items (a) - (d) above, the inconsistency shall be resolved by giving priority to the Laws of Australian Football in item (d), Rules, Regulations, Policies and Determinations in item (c), then item (b), and then item (a) to the extent of the inconsistency;

  5. acknowledge that a failure to adhere to the Rules, Regulations, Policies and Determinations may result in my de-registration as an Umpire and a member of OfficialsHQ and UmpireAFL;

  6. acknowledge that I may inspect copies of the Rules, Regulations, Policies and Determinations and the Laws of Australian Football upon request to the relevant Australian Football Bodies;

  7. acknowledge that, in accordance with the Umpire AFL Accreditation Policy, I may be required to complete and provide to the AFL a National Police Check, that any notification to me of Accreditation pending review of my National Police Check will be provisional in nature and that Accreditation may be refused or revoked based on the content of my National Police Check;

  8. acknowledge that I will act to safeguard children from abuse by holding a valid Working With Children's Check, where applicable in my State or Territory, adopting the policies, practices and behaviour set as the standard and reporting any abuse of which I become aware of.

4.  Assumption of Risk  

I acknowledge and agree that:

  1. Australian Football is a body contact sport in which physical injury may occur from time to time and, based on this understanding, I am no less desirous of umpiring and/or administering Australian Football;

  2. I bear the risk (both physical and legal) of injury arising in the course of umpiring, training and/or participating in the game of Australian Football; and

  3. there is an unquantifiable risk of transmission of viral illness including COVID-19 at Australian Football matches and training at this time and I have considered that risk and my own personal circumstances, including any health condition or vulnerability that I may have or that of persons whom I will be in close contact with following the attendance at an Australian Football match or training. I acknowledge that, for a small number of people, COVID-19 has very serious health consequences. By attending an Australian Football match or training I acknowledge and accept these risks.

5. Limitation of Liability and Release  

I acknowledge and agree that:

  1. by accepting to bear the inherent risks of participating in Australian Football, I will not bring any claim or proceeding against an Australian Football Body for any damage, loss or injury whatsoever that they may suffer from participation in Australian Football;

  2. to the extent permitted by law, an Australian Football Body's liability to me is limited to the Umpiring Club or League supplying any services to which I am entitled in accordance with these Terms and Conditions; and

  3. as an Umpire or a registered person participating in an Australian Football competition, I may be entitled to certain sports injury insurance benefits subject to the terms of insurance applicable to the relevant Australian Football Body.

6.  Images and Likeness

By agreeing to these Terms and Conditions I:

  1. consent to the AFL, the State Body, the Umpiring Club, the League and their affiliates and corporate and community partners (Relevant Football Bodies) taking, recording and using footage, film, video, images, photographs and audio which I may feature (Footage) and using my name, likeness, reputation and identity (Likeness) in connection with:

  2. the advertising, promotion and marketing of the Relevant Football Bodies and Australian Football;

  3. training and education purposes;

  4. competition management and administrative purposes (such as in disciplinary tribunal hearings); and

  5. promotion by the AFL's and the State Body's corporate and community partners (including by way of publishing, republishing or transmitting the Footage in any medium throughout the world);

  6. consent to the Relevant Football Bodies doing, or omitting to do, anything contemplated in item (a) above that would otherwise be an infringement of my moral rights;

  7. understand and acknowledge that the Footage may be altered, edited or modified in any manner determined by the Relevant Football Bodies and hereby waives any right that I may have to inspect or approve the alteration, edit or modification of any Footage or any use to which any Footage may be made; and

  8. release the Relevant Football Bodies from any loss, liability, damage, claims or remuneration, foreseen or unforeseen, incurred by me in connection with any use of the Footage or Likeness.

7.  Registration and Accreditation of Umpires Under 18 Years of Age

All umpires must be thirteen (13) years of age to be accredited as a Umpire.

Where the Umpire is under eighteen (18) years of age, the parent or guardian of the Umpire:

  1. declares that my child / ward is over the age of thirteen (13);

  2. acknowledges that he or she has read and understood and explained the contents of these Terms and Conditions to the Umpire;

  3. consents to the Umpire participating, training and umpiring Australian Football matches, for or in connection with the State Body, the Club and League, subject to these Terms and Conditions; and

  4. declares that the statements made, and information provided, in the profile are true and correct

8.  Privacy Acknowledgement and Consent

In connection with the application for Accreditation, any Accreditation of the Umpire and any other services to the Umpire, the AFL and the State Body may collect, hold, use and disclose personal information, in accordance with the Australian Football Privacy Policy which is available at: http://www.aflcommunity.com.au/index.php?id=189 (Privacy Policy).

The Privacy Policy sets out how the AFL, State Bodies and the other entities named in the Privacy Policy as "Australian Football Bodies" will collect, hold, use, disclose and otherwise manage personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) and the 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) in the Privacy Act.

By agreeing to these Terms and Conditions I acknowledge I have read and understood the Privacy Policy and consent to the Australian Football Bodies:

  1. collecting my personal information including for the purposes of assessing this application;

  2. using and/or disclosing my personal information obtained as a result of or in connection with enquiries made for the purposes of assessing this application; and

  3. collecting, holding, using and/or disclosing personal information otherwise in accordance with the Privacy Policy, the Privacy Act, the APPs or other applicable law.

9.  Umpire’s Code of Conduct

The umpire understands and agrees to

  • Umpire in accordance with the Laws of Australian Football;

  • Ensure the game is played in a fair manner and a spirit of true sportspersonship;

  • Prioritise the health and safety of others to prevent injuries to players participating in the match as much as is practicable in a contact sport;

  • Not discuss any aspect of any report made in accordance with the rules or otherwise with any unauthorised person without the prior consent of the League;

  • Not contrive or attempt to contrive the result of any Match or any aspect of the Match in exchange for any bribe, benefit or reward;

  • Carry out the required administration requirements of the game;

  • Maintain a working knowledge of the Laws of Australian Football and relevant local By-Laws;

  • Seek continual improvement through learning, appraisal and regular updating of competencies;

  • Treat all participants, as they would like to be treated;

  • Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of the gender, ability, cultural background, religion or sexuality;

  • Not engage in physical and/or verbal intimidation, abuse or conduct towards any umpire, player, official or supporter;

  • Accept all match appointments in a positive manner;

  • Advise their Umpiring Club and/or League as soon as practical should they be unable to officiate any match due to illness or injury;

  • Maintain a high reputation and not do any act or thing calculated to or which might otherwise have the effect of prejudicing the reputation of your League, State Body or the AFL;

  • Perform on their merits and officiate to the best of their ability at all times;

  • Not give or allow any person any recorded or other interview for broadcast or write any article relating to Australian Football for publication without first obtaining consent of your League, State Body or the AFL;

  • Adhere to relevant policies as developed by the League, State Body and the AFL;

  • Acknowledge the League, State Body or the AFL may take disciplinary action for a breach of the Code of Conduct. This disciplinary action may include de-registration and exclusion from any umpiring related role.