AJFC Ground Officials are responsible for supporting and assisting Match Officials with spectator behaviour and ensuring that anything that is out of the ordinary conduct of a football match is reported. Abbotsford Juniors Football Club, like all other clubs within the Football Canterbury Association, is required to ensure that there is a minimum of one (1) Ground Official present at each home field/pitch that is hosting a match. Where a match is being played at a neutral venue (or a night venue), both Clubs (teams) are required to provide a Ground Official.
Each Ground Official must be clearly visible to all spectators at the field and be identified as an official wearing a designated Ground Official (orange hi-vis) vest
AJFC Ground Official Duties
The duties of AJFC Ground Officials are as follows:
- Reporting abusive or inappropriate behaviour by spectators towards match officials, players, coaches or other spectators
- Ensuring that spectators do not enter the Technical Area or the playing field beyond the roped off area
- Responding to a request from the Club and/or Association to write and lodge a report for any incidents that occur which are unusual or out of the ordinary including abusive language/behaviour towards anyone, all-in-brawls or fights, major injury or accidents
Ground Officials are to remain impartial. This means reporting the behaviour of AJFC spectators and officials when required. Ground Officials cannot be a team coach or manager. They cannot participate as an extra team official, giving instructions to or supporting the team. Finally, Ground Officials should be mindful of their own behaviour. They have no standing in a game and should not be talking or yelling at players on the field. Decisions and control of a game are the domain of Match Officials.
AJFC Ground Officials Schedule
Each week by 5pm Friday, the Club will create a Ground Official Schedule for teams who are required to ensure that they provide an AJFC Ground Official for their field and game. This is published as part of the Pitch Setup Schedule. Team managers are responsible for ensuring that a Ground Official is present at the field before the match commences and if not available, securing a volunteer parent (not coach or team manager) to act in this capacity during the match.
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