Players and coaches that worry about umpiring decisions aren't giving 100% to the team. Simple.
Agree.....to a degree.....
People make mistakes all the time. Coaches, Players, Umps, Timekeepers, Goal umps, boundry umps, committee's, presidents, canteen ladies, canteen boys, so on and so on. No one has ever gone troppo at an umpire for making "a" mistake because we all do. (We may go a little mad...but not troppo)
What people don't like is a "consistant pattern of mistakes". Yes we all have to shut up and grin and bare it, but when player safety comes into it....we ALL have a duty of care and obligation to ensure we do everything we can to ensure these matters are addressed and our players (Both sides) are protected from unnessesary (I know i spelt that wrong) injury due to neglegent and sometimes "partial" (As opposed to impartial) umpiring.
When the club supplies umpires, we leave ourselves open to either "partial" decisions or un-professional / neglegent conduct as they are only given 90 minutes of training to become an umpire. I don't particularly look forward to the day when a player sues because of poor or little protection of a players basic right (To be protected against rough play - and I will be the first to call them soft!) however I assure you that day will come unless proper and intensive training / coaching is given to umpires especially at ressies level. Overall its an easy fix, (More training, coaching and perhaps we have to pay more for impartial non-club affiliated umpires)
I for one would gladly pay an extra $50 or $100 per year with my subs if it meant a better and more professional standard. I am sure most would.
As for the current crop of umps (ressies especially) - Mate, they have the toughest job in football no doubt. Again, its a disgrace they are given so little training, coaching and support from the VAFA. Especially given the safety concerns that arise.
Sorry to bring this up again, but things don't go away until they are resolved.......its a fact of life!
So Waz, don't go so hard on poor coaches and players who are meerly looking after themselves and their players.
"Coaches and committee that don't look after their players are not giving 100% to the team!"