The AFLUA is proud to have delivered another outstanding year of the Fiona McBurney Match Day Experience in 2025.
On behalf of the Association, l want to express our sincere gratitude to our valued partners at the AFL, including AFL Ticketing and AFL Media, Aaron Nunn, Ben Carbonara and AFL trainers. Thank you to Down Syndrome Victoria – Daniel Payne, Debby Fraumano and Louise Taheny for their enthusiastic contribution to the program.
To the AFL Umpires, thank you for your professionalism on the field and, importantly, for the kindness and respect you showed to our participants. Your efforts created an environment that was both inclusive and welcoming, ensuring that each participant felt valued.
A special acknowledgment must also go to our incredible AFLUA Chaperones, who generously volunteered their time and energy. Your commitment ensured that participants were well-supported, safe, and celebrated, making each match-day experience truly memorable.
In 2025, the program commenced in Round 1 at Marvel Stadium for the Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne match. Earlier in February, we officially launched the program in Victoria with an event at AFL Umpire training, where participants and their families received their official gear and were able to join in training activities alongside the umpiring group.
This year also marked the return of the program in South Australia. A dedicated launch event was facilitated by the AFLUA, supported by our partners at the SANFL. A particular thank you goes to SANFL Umpire Coaches, Eleni Tee and Leigh Haussen, for their role in making this possible, and to Shane and Sandra Harris, who generously volunteered as our South Australian AFLUA Chaperones in 2025.
In total, the AFLUA coordinated 22 Match Day Experience opportunities in Victoria and a further 4 matches in South Australia.
The Fiona McBurney Match Day Experience is a unique initiative that connects sport and disability by giving individuals the opportunity to serve as an official guest AFL trainer for the umpires on match day. Established in 2007 and named in 2015 after Fiona McBurney, the late sister of retired AFL umpire and now Head of Officiating, Stephen McBurney, the program continues to honour her passion for football and her enduring legacy.
After being paused in 2020 due to Covid, the program was reintroduced by the AFLUA in 2023 and has continued to evolve. Key features in 2025 included:
- Hosting all Victorian-based matches at Marvel Stadium.
- Relaunching the program in South Australia, with selected matches at Adelaide Oval.
- Participants serving as guest trainers, assisting umpires on match day—including joining the coin toss.
- Pre-match involvement at Tuesday training sessions (La Trobe University in Victoria or Westminster College in South Australia), where participants met the umpiring and trainer teams, received their gear, and were presented with their accreditation.
- Continued involvement of former AFL umpires as match-day chaperones to guide participants and families through the Marvel Stadium experience.
- Recognition of participants in the AFL Record.
- Photos captured by AFL Media.
- Channel 7 feature story.
Thanks to the collective efforts of everyone involved, the program continues to provide participants with an invaluable and unforgettable experience. One that celebrates inclusion, community, and the love of football.
Tom Bryce
Program Coordinator