Fiona McBurney Match day Experience
The AFLUA’s Fiona McBurney Program will be featured as part of the World Down Syndrome Congress in Brisbane from 9th – 12th July 2024.
The Fiona McBurney Match Day Experience aims to connect sport and disability by providing a unique experience for individuals to undertake an official guest AFL trainer role for the AFL umpires on match day. The program is highlighted in a video which will be part of a presentation being made by Daniel Payne, CEO Down syndrome Victoria at the Congress.
“The Fiona McBurney MDE is such a popular and successful program. Down Syndrome Victoria is privileged to collaborate with the AFLUA to offer these incredible experiences in honour and memory of Fiona” said CEO of Down syndrome Victoria Dan Payne. “I’m looking forward to celebrating the program and sharing its significant impact on participants, families and the broader football community at the WDS congress next week.”
The Fiona McBurney MDE program is named after the sister of retired AFL umpire Stephen McBurney. Fiona McBurney, who passed away in 2009, had Down syndrome and loved football, so naming the program after her was an ideal outcome for everyone involved.
With the assistance of the AFL Umpiring Department, media and ticketing department, Down syndrome Victoria and our AFL umpires, trainers and our chaperones the program provides:
• Use of Marvel Stadium on Saturday/Sunday
• Continue as guest trainer for the day, assisting umpires, including the coin toss
• Attend a designated Tuesday training session at Marvel stadium to meet the umpiring and trainer teams, collect their gear and accreditation
• Continuation of the use of former VFL/AFL umpires in the role of match day chaperones to support the participant and family navigating Marvel Stadium
• The participant’s name list in the Footy Record under the Umpires
• Photo captured by AFL media
The Program will be run over 16 rounds of AFL football in 2024.