The AFL Coaches Association has welcomed the league’s umpire coaches into its ranks.

AFLCA chief executive Mark Brayshaw said the move received unanimous support from the association’s advisory board and was a step in the right direction for the game as a whole.

“Generally speaking, AFL coaches will support anything that can help grow the game,” Brayshaw said.

“We think that working with umpires coaches and assisting in their development is in everyone’s best interests, so we welcome the umpires coaches to our ranks.”

The AFLCA currently has 180 members comprised of senior, assistant and development coaches from the AFL’s 18 clubs.

Wayne Campbell, the AFL’s National Head of Umpiring, was confident that stronger ties between AFL coaches and umpire coaches would improve the way the game was officiated.

“The closer our umpires coaches can get to the clubs the better we understand the way the game is played,” Campbell said.

“Each club employs about 10 coaches and they set much of the game’s direction.

“The game is constantly evolving, so to collaborate with AFL coaches will allow us to understand their perspective, which I think will enhance the way we umpire the game.”