6 November 2026
The program and its history
The program aims to connect sport and disability by providing a unique experience for individuals with Down syndrome to undertake an official guest AFL trainer role for the AFL umpires on match day.
The Fiona McBurney Match Day Experience program commenced in 2007 and ran for two years before it was brought back to life in 2015. It was then 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.
The program aims to connect sport and disability by providing a unique experience for individuals with Down syndrome to undertake an official guest AFL trainer role for the AFL umpires on match day. It is a popular program and members of our community are invited to apply each year.
You can find out more about the Fiona McBurney Match Day Experience here.
What’s involved
As part of the experience, successful applicants will:
- be acknowledged in the official AFL Record
- receive official AFL umpire training attire
- participate in pre-match ground inspections
- assist umpires with pre-game tasks
- help the umpires during breaks.
- be able to receive up to four general admission tickets for friends and family.
Match Day Experiences will be held on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday at Marvel Stadium. Participants are supported on match day by official chaperones from the AFL umpiring community.
About you
Participants must be 18 years of age and over, and should be able to:
- follow simple instructions
- be comfortable being in the care of others and being seated for the duration of a quarter
- be comfortable in loud environments.
How people are selected
This program has been a popular opportunity with high numbers of applications in the past and unfortunately, not everyone will get the chance to participate. If you are successful, we will do our best to align your experience with your favourite team.
Successful participants will be notified by DSV’s Events Coordinator, Nicole Bryson, soon after applications close. If you have any questions, please get in touch via phone on 9486 9600 or email info@dsav.asn.au.
To see the available matches and apply, please click the button below.
Applications close at midday, Friday 20 November 2026.
We would like to thank the AFL and the AFL Umpire Association for their ongoing collaboration and partnership as well as the support of the Victorian Down syndrome community in making this program a success.