{"id":3091,"date":"2024-07-22T20:22:22","date_gmt":"2024-07-22T10:22:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.downsyndrome.org.au\/vic\/?page_id=3091"},"modified":"2025-12-09T17:45:44","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T06:45:44","slug":"fiona-mcburney-match-day-experience","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.downsyndrome.org.au\/vic\/services-and-supports\/for-people-with-down-syndrome\/fiona-mcburney-match-day-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Fiona McBurney Match Day Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fiona McBurney Match Day Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Tom and umpires.
Photos here and below courtesy of AFL Media.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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The program<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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‘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.’ <\/p>\nDaniel Payne, CEO Down Syndrome Victoria<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sam and umpires<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Shea and umpires<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Manahil and umpires<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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:
\u2022 games that are all at Marvel Stadium on a Saturday or Sunday
\u2022 the opportunity to serve as a guest trainer for the day, assisting umpires, including the coin toss
\u2022 attending a designated Tuesday training session at Marvel Stadium to meet the umpiring and trainer teams, and collect your gear and accreditation
\u2022 ongoing involvement of former VFL\/AFL umpires as match day chaperones to support participants and their families at Marvel Stadium
\u2022 the participant\u2019s name listed in the Footy Record in the umpires’ section
\u2022 photos captured by AFL media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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