Fiona McBurney Match Day Experience
Photos here and below courtesy of AFL Media.
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.
