Black Diamond AFL Umpires Association

The Black Diamond AFL Umpires Association (OR Newcastle Central Coast Umpires Association) are a group of men and women who love Australian Rules Football and umpiring in general and contributing to the game in the Newcastle and Central Coast regions of New South Wales.The main aim of the group is to provide umpires to the Black Diamond AFL Senior Competition (www.bdafl.com.au), the AFL Greater Sydney Juniors (Newcastle) and the AFL Greater Sydney Juniors (Central Coast) competitions.The range in ages of the group is between 13 - 65 years old.Training is currently held at Baxter Field, Marks Point, against the backdrop of Lake Macquarie.Umpires are expected to travel between the areas of Singleton to Gosford and Nelson bay to officiate in games. Up until 2005, all games (excluding finals) were umpired in the two umpire system. From 2006 onwards, all matches have been umpired in the three umpire system.In 2008 Round 2, the NCCUA had the unfortunate situation of not being able to field umpires to a game of Black Diamond Cup First Grade Football. The match, Gosford vs Warners Bay, had to be officiated by Club Umpires. The current group includes four umpires who have officiated at either AFL level (Roger Crowhurst), or state level equivalent.With planned joint training nights between the senior and junior groups in Newcastle and on the Central Coast, it is hoped that the once thriving association's numbers will improve, so as not to have a repeat of the Round 2 situation in 2008.

Current Committee

Life Members of the Newcastle / Central Coast Umpires Association

External links

* [http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi?c=0-916-15673-0-0&sID=10855 website]