Our History
Since 1930, we’ve been evolving, connecting, and championing the umpiring community in NSW. While Australian Football has been played in NSW since 1903, it wasn’t until 1930 that the NSW Australian Football Umpires Association was formally established. Since then, the NSWAFUA has grown into a strong, supportive, and passionate community dedicated to developing and supporting umpires in Sydney.
Early Traditions & A Legacy of Firsts
In our inaugural year, NSW umpires became the first in Australia to wear an Association pocket on their uniforms. Over time, the design has changed, but one symbol has stood the test of time: the Waratah.
Today, that same Waratah is proudly featured on the back of every NSWAFUA polo and training shirt, linking our current members to those who first laid the foundations in 1930.
A Community From Every Walk of Life
From the early decades to now, the Association has welcomed umpires from all backgrounds. Our members come from every corner of NSW, and many also move interstate to be part of the umpiring community here. This breadth of experience has shaped the NSWAFUA into a diverse, supportive, and uniquely connected group.
Supporting Competitions Across NSW
Our umpires have long contributed to the growth of football across the state. In addition to the NSW State League, officials were supplied to the Riverina League in 1930 and to the South Coast League in the 1970s. Boundary umpires joined Sunday Reserve Grade games in 1960, with full boundary coverage in place by 1965, an important step in lifting standards across all competitions.
More Than Match Day: The Social Story
The NSWAFUA’s history has always been about more than what occurs on the field. In the 1970s, the Umpires Ball was one of the standout events on the local footy calendar. That same sense of community continues today through our monthly training dinners, our annual Past & Present Luncheon, and the highly anticipated End of Season Awards Night, where we recognise milestones, achievements, and the people who make our Association what it is.
In 1976, we became the first incorporated Umpires Association in Australia. A historic milestone that strengthened our structure and long-term stability.
Training Grounds & Finding Our Home
Training wasn’t formally organised until 1965, and early sessions took place wherever space was available whether it was open parks, university ovals, athletics fields, or suburban grounds. We’ve trained everywhere from Erskineville Oval and Moore Park to Trumper Park, E.S. Marks Field, and Wyatt Park.
In 1994, after decades of shifting venues, we secured a permanent training and meeting base at Reg Bartley Oval, Rushcutters Bay.
In 2009, the Association relocated to North Sydney Oval, where we remain today, sharing the space with VFL umpires, and AFL umpires, Following the dismantling of the NEAFL competition, NSW umpires transitioned into the VFL pathway, opening stronger elite development and progression opportunities.
A Living Legacy
Since 1930, the NSWAFUA has grown, adapted, and taken pride in supporting umpires at every stage of their journey. Our history is shaped by members who have contributed on and off the field, building a culture of excellence, camaraderie, and resilience.
And nearly 100 years on, that legacy continues — proudly and collectively.