Black Diamond AFL Umpires Association

The Newcastle Central Coast Umpires Association are a group of men and women who love Australian Rules Football and umpiring in general. They contribute to the game of AFL in the Newcastle and Central Coast regions of New South Wales by umpiring in the Black Dimaond Australian Football League (the Black Diamond Cup is the oldest sporting trophy played for in Australia).

The main aim of the group is to provide umpires to the Black Diamond AFL (www.bdafl.com.au) and the AFL Greater Sydney Juniors (Newcastle and Central Coast) competitions.

The group of umpires range in ages between 13 to 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 with the two umpire system. From 2006 onwards, all matches have been umpired with 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 match. The game, Gosford playing Warners Bay, had to be officiated by Club Umpires.

The current group includes four umpires who have officiated at either AFL level [Roger Crowhurst (current Umpries Coach)] or state level equivalent (Grant Godfrey, Ashley Borg and Darrel Luck).

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 there will not be a repeat of the Round 2 situation in 2008.

Current Committee

Black Diamond AFL Grand Final Umpires since 2000

Games Record Holders Since BDAFL 2000 - 2007 (Black Diamond Cup Seniors Only)

Life Members of the Newcastle / Central Coast Umpires Association

External links

• website