Fiona McBurney Match Day Experience

Tom and umpires.
Photos here and below courtesy of AFL Media.

Applications for the 2026 season are now open

If you love footy and would like the chance to be on the field at Marvel Stadium and meet players and umpires, you should apply for the 2026 Fiona McBurney Match Day Experience today!

Participants must be 18 years of age and over, follow the AFL 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

We anticipate this to be a popular opportunity and unfortunately, not everyone will get the chance to participate. Selection will be random (pulled out of a hat!). If you are selected, we will do our best to align your experience with your favourite team.

To review available matches and express interest please fill out the following form by midday, Tuesday 9 December 2025.

Apply here for the 2026 season

The program

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 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.’
Daniel Payne, CEO Down Syndrome Victoria

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.

The program is assisted by the AFL umpiring department, media and ticketing department; Down Syndrome Victoria; and our AFL umpires, trainers and chaperones. The program includes:
• games that are all at Marvel Stadium on a Saturday or Sunday
• the opportunity to serve as a guest trainer for the day, assisting umpires, including the coin toss
• attending a designated Tuesday training session at Marvel Stadium to meet the umpiring and trainer teams, and collect your gear and accreditation
• ongoing involvement of former VFL/AFL umpires as match day chaperones to support participants and their families at Marvel Stadium
• the participant’s name listed in the Footy Record in the umpires’ section
• photos captured by AFL media.

For more information contact Down Syndrome Victoria on 9486 9600 or email debbyf@dsav.asn.au.