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Mercury
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Mercury
AFL Tasmania cracks down on umpire abuse after a number of reports in recent weeks
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News. AFL Tasmania has jumped on the front foot to stamp down on umpire abuse. In recent weeks, the Southern Football League has handed down suspensions to a Claremont men's player and a Dodges Ferry women's team member for abuse towards officials. Head of AFL Tasmania Damian Gill said respect for umpires is non-negotiable. 'AFL Tasmania has zero tolerance for racism, vilification or discrimination of any kind – including towards our umpires,' Gill said. 'Umpires are essential to our game, we have strong processes in place to address inappropriate behaviour, including on-field sanctions through the card system and through our match review process and tribunal. 'Abuse of officials is something we take extremely seriously.' The state has seen an increase in umpires in 2025 after investments were made to help officials. The governing body is working closely with associations and clubs to ensure umpiring remains at the highest standard across Tasmania. 'While we haven't seen a significant rise in umpire abuse, we remain proactive,' Gill said. 'Umpires should be celebrated, not targeted – and the vast majority of clubs, coaches and players understand and uphold this standard. 'Vilification of any kind has no place in football. We recently reinforced this message through a statewide anti-vilification campaign that reached every club, association and league in Tasmania. 'More Tasmanians are picking up the whistle, and we're working closely with associations and clubs to ensure umpiring is a fulfilling, respected and well-supported role within our game. 'Umpires are pivotal to footy and becoming one is a brilliant way to stay involved in the game, keep fit, make friends, and earn money.'
Otago Daily Times
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Wānaka win as Plimmer scores two on the road
Photo: file Alex Plimmer came off the bench to score twice and propel Wānaka to a win on the road. It took them to a 2-1 victory over Universites of Canterbury at English Park, in the men's Southern Football League on Saturday. Plimmer gave Wānaka a 42nd-minute lead when they played the ball out from their penalty box. A long ball forward saw Wānaka press the home team — forcing a turnover with Plimmer collecting the loose ball on the edge of the box. He took one touch and gave keeper Matthew Aitchison no chance. Wānaka nearly doubled their lead just after the hour mark, when Ed Belingher broke free in his own half and collected Plimmer's return pass with his shot striking the post. It was 2-0 a couple of minutes later when Ben Sippola showed some tidy footwork to beat six players as he dribbled into the box. He was finally tackled, but the ball fell kindly to Plimmer, who rifled his shot home from 12 yards out. UC pulled one back with eight minutes to go through Ashton Lay, but Wānaka held on to claim three points and the double over UC. It was the only game involving a southern team on Saturday as fog at Dunedin Airport prevented teams from flying to their games. That impacted both the men's and women's Dunedin City Royals teams, as well as the Roslyn Wakari women's team. Yesterday's women's Southern League game between Otago University and Cashmere Technical was also postponed due to a flight cancellation. Christchurch United remain in top spot of the men's league, thanks to Travis Graham's injury time goal in the 92nd minute to secure a 1-1 draw with Nomads. Cashmere Tech moved into third spot with a routine 6-0 victory over Selwyn and Ferrymead Bays are fourth thanks to goalkeeper Evan Ovendale's late penalty save after Liam Stanton's 54th minute goal in a close 1-0 win over Nelson Suburbs. In the men's Southern Premiership, Northern completed the first round with 100% record after a closely-fought 2-1 victory over their nearest challengers University. Northern's strike force of Rory Hibbert and Toby Orchiston were combining well, as were the students pairing of Ashton Hodson and Simba Muwunganirwa, testing the keepers with some early shots. The game burst into life in the 42nd minute, and Hodson finished on a diving header a few minutes later to finish past Eli Urwin — his third attempt after Urwin had denied Hodson twice. However, with time up on the clock a slip in the University defence left space for the ball to be played across the Orchiston. He tapped in from close range to make it 1-1 at halftime. The second half was a tight affair, before the game burst into life again late in the half. Urwin reacted well to deny University the lead in the 86th minute, before Hibbert finished at the other end a minute later, allowing Northern to escape with the win. Mosgiel moved into second with a 5-2 comeback win over Northern Hearts, while Roslyn Wakari beat Old Boys 4-2 at Ellis Park, also coming from behind. The Dunedin City Royals were too strong for Green Island in a 4-0 win. By Neville Watson
