The NUA would like to congratulate Jack Edwards on his inclusion into the VFL Squad for 2010. Jack joins an impressively growing list of imports from the NUA/DVFLUA making their mark 'downtown'.

We would also like to acknowledge and congratulate Michael O'Keeffe on his appointment as Senior Field Coach at Riddell Umpires for 2010.

Both achievements are a result of hard work and dedication to their craft of umpiring, and we are sure that both guys will continue their ongoing development, mindful of their starts at the NUA/NFL. Best of luck to Jack and Michael.

SuperCoach is BACK for 2010!

Click on the link to the left and note the League Number which has been set up for NUA Members & immediate family and friends.

ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT!!!

A Cash Prize Tipping Comp has also been established.

Entry fee and Prize Pool details to come.

Click here to join up.

The NUA are having a BBQ at the Bunnings Warehouse on High St, Epping this Sunday the 14th of March.

Our stall will be open from 9am till 4pm, so come down and buy a sausage or two, with soft drinks being available as well.

For those thinking of becoming an umpire, we will have registration forms for you to fill out and can answer any questions you may have.

Hope to see you all there!

If can help out across the day please see Dylan Smith @ training or email social@umpires.org.au so we can have a roster to cover timeslots.

The Umpire Registration Form is now located electronically under the Forms & Fixtures section of the website.

This follows consultation with the NFL Umpires Secretary who expressed a preference for an 'electronic' version of the form.

The benefits of filling out the form electronically are:

- Reduces the risk of 'human error' when processing critical details of Email, Phone, and Bank Account information.

- Streamlines the process of Umpire Registration and reduces the risk of 'lost' or incomplete forms

- Allows the NUA to more effectively track it's membership records to align with NFL records.

While the NFL has indicated that 2009 Umpires need not complete the Registration Form, the NUA Executive encourages umpires to use the form to ensure accurate information is held by both NUA and NFL for the 2010 season.

To use the form, simply click on the link, complete the form, then save the form to your computer and email it to registrations@umpires.org.au which will ensure the NFL Umpires Secretary instantly has the most updated information.

The plan for next season is to develop an 'Umpire Amendment Form' so that Umpires can use that to just update their details if their details change.

Any queries, please contact nua@umpires.org.au

Please note the Northern Umpires Association AGM for 2010 will be held:

On WEDNESDAY MARCH 24 to commence following training at approximately 7:30pm

At Old Paradian Football Club Rooms, Garvey Oval, Bundoora (Melways Map 10, Ref: A10)

Nomination Forms can be accessed under the Forms & Fixtures section of the website, which can be completed and printed for ease of use.

Nominations for Executive postiions are to be received by the Secretary NO LATER THAN Midnight Wednesday MARCH 17.

Please note that the NUA Post Box will be cleared in the morning of Thurs March 18 to ensure forms post-stamped March 17 are captured.

Are you free on Sunday March 21?

Would you like the opportunity to umpire the likes of Kouta, Daicos, Libba and Yze?

If so, then 'Read more' for a unique umpiring opportunity...

The NFL has announced new rule changes for the upcoming 2010 season.

A summary of the changes can be viewed here.

Two significant in-play rules introduced are:

- Free Kick for Deliberate Rushed Behind in Senior Grades as determined by the Field Umpire in charge

- Chopping Arms in Marking Contents to include deliberately holding an opposition player or interfering with the arms of an opposition player.

A full list of the 2010 By Laws as well as the League Laws can be accessed under the Forms And Fixtures section to the left of this page.

The Northern Football League Director of Umpiring, Kevin Smith, has sent a letter dated January 22 to all umpires advising that training will shortly recommence. Details are as follows:

FIRST SESSION - 5:45pm, MONDAY FEB 8
AT GARVEY OVAL, PARADE COLLEGE BUNDOORA
(Mel Map: 10, A10)

*Note the pre-season training will take place in the large field to the right of the Parade main entrance.

Sessions will continue each Monday and Wednesday thereafter.

Goal Umpires are not required to attend until Wednesday March 10 but are welcome to attend the earlier sessions.

On behalf of the NUA I'd like to extend my congratulations to life member Denis Groom and his family on the birth of a baby boy last weekend.

After some initial worries, I'm happy to report that both baby and mother are doing fine.

The latest addition to the Groom family has been named Andrew, and is now doing well at home with mum and dad. We hope to see him running around the track in years to come!!

Congrats, Groomy!

Dear members;

On the back of a very poor social year, due to a a breakdown in planning and communication between the NUA, the NFL and the Bundoora OP's Footy Club, it is of the executive's opinion that an "open letter" article be posted here on the front page of the NUA website before the start of the 2010 season.

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that at least from a social & fundraising point of view, things have not improved for season 2010.

The NFL have now completed their fixtures for the upcoming season.

Fixtures can be viewed/downloaded by clicking on the relevant draw on the left hand side of this page.

The 2010 NFL Season commences on Saturday April 10


It is also worth highlighting that Round 15 is the NFL's Charity Round (July 24 - and split over July 31 for Div 1) and we encourage umpires to suggest ideas on how we can compliment the League's fundraising efforts for the yet to be announced charity partner.

The NFL have announced that Division 3 will commence from Round 1 next year after St Marys agreed to field senior sides.

Click here to read the story.

The NFL has issued a statement advising that there will be a change to the Finals Format in Division 1 for 2010.

There is also an indication that there will be a formalised announcement regarding Division 3 in the week or so ahead.

The NFL statement can be seen here.