24th March 2023
To all clubs.
The MCDFNL and Ballarat Football Umpires Association (BFUA) are committed to creating a positive and respectful match day environment for all players, coaches, volunteers, umpires, and spectators.
Following the success in other regions, a trial will be introduced in 2023 of a White Card – Coaches Box system in 2023 across all competitions and grades officiated by BFUA umpires.
The purpose of this new system is to encourage better behaviour from coaches and club officials in and around the coaches’ box.
The system will be a three-phase process, where a White Card will be issued to the bench in case of any unacceptable behaviour.
Phase 1: A warning will be issued by showing the White Card to the bench.
Phase 2: White Card shown to the bench plus a free kick and 50m penalty will be applied.
Phase 3: White Card shown to the bench with the Head Coach red-carded and removed from the game, and a free kick and 50m penalty applied.
Any further incidents beyond this will result in a free kick and 50m penalty on every occasion.
We would like to emphasise that it is the responsibility of the Head Coach to manage the behaviour of all officials listed on the team sheet.
Any official’s behaviour, whether they are on the ground or in the coaches’ box at the time of the incident, may result in a White Card being issued to the bench.
Examples of behaviour that may warrant a White Card include
- continually questioning or disputing umpiring decisions,
- abusing umpires,
- using inappropriate language or gestures towards anyone,
- speaking inappropriately or aggressively towards opposition players or coaches, and
- behaving in any manner that is socially unacceptable or contrary to the Coaches’ Code of Conduct, AFL Victoria Players and Coaches Code of Conduct.
We would like to thank you for your cooperation in implementing this new system and encourage you to communicate this information to all coaches and officials within your club.
Please note that this system does not override any Umpire’s ability to report any person on a team sheet at any time throughout a game.
Thank you for assisting us to drive a better match day environment for everyone. We look forward to a successful and respectful 2023 season.
Sincerely, The MCDFNL and BFUA
Process for Implementation of White Card
The following behaviours will be deemed unacceptable by any coach or official on the team sheet:
- Continually questioning/disputing umpiring decisions
- Abusing umpires or making inappropriate comments to or about them
- Using inappropriate language or gestures towards or about anyone
- Speaking inappropriately or aggressively towards opposition players or coaches
- Behaving in any manner that is socially unacceptable / contrary to the Coaches’ Code of Conduct, AFL Victoria Players and Coaches Code of Conduct
Umpires will display the White Card for repeated instances of the above, unless the severity warrants issuing a White Card in the first occurrence.
This system does not override any Umpire’s ability to report any person on a team sheet at any time throughout a game.
1st Phase:
- At the next stoppage in play, the field umpire pauses the game and moves to within 20m of the Coaches Box and clearly displays a White card. If the offending person is an on-field Runner/Water Carrier, they will be sent back to the bench during this time.
- A Field Umpire that is not issuing the card shall take control of the football at the spot on the field where play was paused, then once the card has been issued, they will recommence play from where it stopped.
- There is no on field penalty for the team that incurred the White card.
2nd Phase:
- At the next stoppage, the field umpire pauses the game and moves to within 20m of the Coaches Box and clearly displays a White card. If the offending person is an on-field Runner/Water Carrier, they will be sent back to the bench during this time.
- A Field Umpire that is not issuing the card will restart play from the stoppage with a free kick and 50m penalty to the non-offending team. Player closest to the stoppage takes the kick.
3rd Phase:
- At the next stoppage the field umpire pauses the game and moves to within 10m of the Coaching Box and clearly displays a Red card and verbally advise the Coaches Box that the Head Coach is on report for misconduct and must immediately leave the Coaches Box.
- A Field Umpire that is not issuing the card will restart play from the stoppage with a free kick and 50m penalty to the non-offending team. Player closest to the stoppage takes the kick.
Download the White Card System Guide (242kb .pdf)