top of page

Future Stars Scholarship

2025 Scholarship recipients Emma Waters, Jairus Brealey and Natasha Hain with Sponsor and Life Member Bob Tait
Purpose

The NSWAFUA and its sponsors seek to promote a barrier free pathway to excellence for a talented umpire who will one day umpire at the top levels of the national competition. An umpire should be equipped with the best knowledge and support to ensure the best possibility of success on a match day.

​

 

The Scholarship

The Scholarship on offer is up to the value of $1000 AUD for 3 scholarships across any discipline.

The NSWAFUA via its sponsors wishes to ensure that the scholarship funding provided is directed at appropriate development areas for the successful candidate(s). The candidate(s) is to supply evidence (tax invoices, receipts) of their ongoing expenditure in some of the areas listed below.

​

 

Barriers to excellence such as:

  • Transit costs

  • Uniform and apparel costs

  • Footwear

  • Strength and conditioning equipment

 

 

The NSWAFUA has identified that talented athletes may benefit from the use of specialist professionals to improve their athletic performance and match day preparation.

​

 

Such professionals may include:

  • Physiotherapy

  • Podiatry

  • Nutrition

 

 

The Ideal Candidate

An umpire who has shown aptitude at the basic level of umpiring in their discipline, has personal drive and ambition and is looking to make the extra push in the next 24 months to reach a minimum of Men’s Premier Division in the AFL Sydney competition.

 

 

Eligibility Criteria

The successful candidate:

  • Is a paid NSWAFUA member for the current season

  • Has accreditation to umpire in the AFL Sydney competition

  • Can demonstrate a 24 month plan for personal umpiring development

  • Umpires in the AFL Sydney competition for a minimum of twelve (12) rounds in the current season

  • Applicants under the age of 18 must have parental consent prior to applying

​​

Exclusion Criteria

The scholarship is not available to:

  • Previous recipients of the scholarship

  • AFL Sydney employees or their direct family members

  • NSWAFUA Committee Members or their direct family members

  • A current listed AFL, AFLW or VFL umpire

 

 

Termination Criteria

The NSWAFUA reserves the right to terminate the scholarship program with an individual should they:

  • Bring the Association into disrepute or are subjected to disciplinary action

  • Leave the competition*

  • Fail to be available to umpire the minimum of twelve (12) rounds**

  • Withdraw their application at any time

 

 

* Payment may be made pro-rata based on how long the umpire has contributed to the current season

** Consideration will be taken based on personal circumstances and match day availability, external factors, etc

 

 

Selection Panel

  • The NSWAFUA committee

  • The head coach of each discipline

 

 

Disclaimers

The Scholarship is not affiliated with the AFL or AFL Sydney and is a NSWAFUA initiative

  • The Recipient will receive no guarantees of favourable match selection at any stage

  • The Recipient is responsible for any tax declarations or fringe benefits derived from receiving the Scholarship

  • Candidates may only apply for one Scholarship

  • The Scholarship may not be awarded if the Selection Panel deems it appropriate .

bottom of page