Mrs Stasinowsky said club officials, players and supporters all became more emotionally invested in the outcome of games as stakes rose late in the season, but it was no excuse for poor behaviour.
“It’s not just about umpires; it’s also about players, et cetera – respecting everybody, basically,” she said.
“In the main part, most people are really great and there’s been a lot of work between umpires, players and clubs to develop a good rapport.
“So the vast majority of people are amazing and there are no issues. It’s just one or two people here and there who can obviously get a little emotionally involved in the game and that’s where the problem lies.”
Mrs Stasinowsky said while finals could be a particularly difficult time for umpires, they dealt with abuse each week.
“It’s hard to swallow, especially when it’s not just the adults that cop it. Sometimes it’s the juniors and they’re only young. The kids out running on the boundary are the ones who are going to hear it first because they are closer to the crowd,” she said.
“As a result, undoubtedly every year we lose umpires across the board … due to abuse being hurled their way.”
The Wimmera and Horsham District football netball leagues have encouraged spectators to behave respectfully towards players, coaches, umpires, volunteers and fellow spectators with a series of social media posts throughout the season.
“We’ve been really lucky that both leagues have been really supportive if we have issues – we’re able to take it up with the league,” Mrs Stasinowsky said.
She said umpires were capable of making mistakes like anyone else, but did not deserve to suffer abuse for it.
“There isn’t an umpire out there who is able to say ‘I never make a mistake’,” she said.
“People need to remember they’re human.
“Unlike the AFL or the VFL where we have umpires and they’re dotted throughout a vast area and not all concentrated in a small community, our umpires are all concentrated in a small community.
“So to be given the level of abuse that can sometimes come their way probably hits a little bit harder because these are people who they see week to week, not just at footy grounds, but walking down the street.
“It’s something people need to remember – these are members of your community, and they feel it.”
Mrs Stasinowsky discouraged spectators from engaging with umpires during game breaks.
“Obviously there’s good with bad. Our umpires love it when somebody walks past them and says ‘you’re doing a great job’ and gives them a thumbs up,” she said.
“But there are certainly a percentage of people who walk out there and do abuse the umpires as they’re going past.
“The community also needs to understand that while we love the good and are very happy to receive positive feedback, sometimes the level of abuse that gets given to an umpire at quarter-time, half-time, three-quartertime is such that there could be consequences for those people who do it.”
The entire August 26, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
