The Esperance District Football Association is in desperate need of umpires for the upcoming season.
EDFA Umpires Association co-ordinator Ash Weckert said the panel had just seven umpires this year compared to 15 in previous seasons.
“We’ve had a pretty solid group for the last couple of years but the guys are in their 50s or 60s, and three or four guys have decided to call in quits which is fair enough — they’ve done plenty of service,” Mr Weckert said.
“With our numbers this year it’s going to be difficult to cover the colts and the women’s games.”
He said the umpires were often retired footballers who wanted to stay involved in the game, but he encouraged younger people to give it a go too.
He said prior experience and qualifications were not necessary.
“Umpiring’s for anyone,” Mr Weckert said.
“You’ve just got to have knowledge of the rules and the game, a level of fitness and also a level of tact and personality to deal with players and the crowd and everything that goes with it.”
Games are played on Saturday afternoons and go for 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
The footy season will kick-off with Gibson hosting Newton Condingup Lions on April 25.
