COVID-19 UPDATE 17/3/20

Good evening GFUL members,
 
As you may be aware, AFL Barwon yesterday announced that all AFL Barwon competitions will be postponed until May 31 given the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Following this document will be a copy of the correspondence sent to me from AFL Barwon General Manager Will McGregor.
 
As I write this email, I stress the fact that we as your Board have done everything we possibly can to alert you to the events that are constantly evolving - and the decision today was unfortunately out of our control.
 
I, like many of you am disappointed - especially after the work I have seen you all dedicate to season 2020 thus far. As you have heard many times over the past few months, we can only control things in our control, and unfortunately this is totally out of our control.
 
While many of you are probably like me and feeling a little flat that we will NOT be training, umpiring or socialising together until May 31, it’s important that we stick together as a group through these difficult times.
 
Two weeks ago, I communicated our new values as a Board. Never have these values been more important to us a group.
 
Our UMPIRES values reflect not only what we represent as a group, however what we can represent as people in the community. I encourage all of you to take on board the following:
United in these difficult times, stick together; Mateship - ask our mates ‘Are you OK?’ and ‘Can I help?’; Professional in everything we are doing - do your own training and be ready for when the season kicks off; Inclusive - we may all feel a little left out with no group training or umpiring, however it’s important to feel included and part of the group still; Respectful of the situation – this isn’t a decision or situation we can change; Encouraging - if you see your fellow umpire do something, encourage them as they will do to you, it’s amazing how encouragement can get someone through hard times; Supportive - support your club and stick with us as we will you!  
I urge all of you to send each other a note or message and just check in and see how they are. If YOU are doing it tough - chances are they are to.
 
I want to thank you all for your support and patience as we all move into one of the most challenging times the world has seen in recent years. Look after yourself and your loved ones.
 
The Board will be meeting within the next 48 hours to work through the next steps. I will personally update all of you following our meeting about the next steps.
 
I look forward to seeing you soon: doing the job we all love - in the game we all love.
 
Your Chairman,
 
 Leigh Johnston
leigh@gful.com.au