It wasn't just footballers who missed out last season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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The umpires are just as keen to get back on the field.
Warrnambool and District Football Umpires Association director of umpiring and field coach Nicole Downie said the group kept in touch last year despite no footy season.
"It was disappointing, it was my first year so it was disappointing for me to not have a full year and have a go," she said.
"But the idea is we kept up with fitness. We sent out plans and coaching sessions throughout the year."
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Downie said numbers were on par with 2020 with about 100 umpires.
She said the association had already gained five new youngsters.
"We run a bump program on Wednesday nights starting at 5pm where we teach them boundary umpiring and we put them in the junior games," she said.
The bump program has been going about five years.
Downie is keen to have more new umpires on board.
"Ex-footballers, anyone that's got kids that want to have a run as well," she said.
"Kids start on the boundary and go into the field, money is good for them, they like a little pay.
"(We're inviting) anyone who still wants to be involved in football and wants to come along and keep their fitness up."
She said the club offered a family-friendly atmosphere.
"We still do social nights, we still do things like a football club," she said.
"It's still come back to the rooms on a Saturday night, meals on Wednesday night.
"Everyone's invited and everyone can be involved."
The director of umpiring said helping umpires develop was a focus for the association.
"There isn't a number (we're after), you want quality as well," she said.
"You can have numbers but you need the quality as well."
She said the WDFUA had weekly coaching sessions, including lectures, to help umpires improve.
Downie said the umpires were training at Mack Oval until September while their home ground, Reid Oval, is being redeveloped.
They train Monday and Wednesday nights.
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