Umpiring Level: EH Level 2 Qualified & London B* Panel Umpire
THD Team: Mens 5s
Tell us about your Hockey background, when did you start playing and umpiring?
I only started playing hockey at university to keep fit for the cricket season. I had a brilliant time and started to play regularly for a club after I graduated. I played two seasons for Horley HC before moving to Reigate Priory HC where I found my feet and was appointed captain for nearly 4 years. Once the novelty of driving an hour each way every weekend wore off I found a club for more local time in London and here we are at the wonderful THD where I became heavily involved and have held positions as club captain and team captain.
My journey with umpiring started when I did the odd bit here and there with other teams playing at home on the same days as me during my time at Reigate. After I moved to THD, with the number of teams we felt that I was well placed to help. Over the last four years, I’ve done around 25-28 games of umpiring per season. This has given me a great understanding of the rules and the ability to apply them at a club level.
Over the past few years, Jim Dickson and Mark Bennett encouraged me to umpire at a higher level. So, this year, I have been umpiring regular neutral games in Division 1 and London Prem for both men and women. I’ve learnt an incredible amount this year and hope to continue in the coming years.
What is it about umpiring that you enjoy? Why do you do it?
I do it to make the games more enjoyable for everyone involved. It is important to have confident, good-quality umpires, as we all know how wrong things can go if you don’t. It’s about keeping everyone safe and ensuring fairness and consistency throughout.
It has been mentioned that I like a card or two, which I won't shy away from! It’s important that players learn about what is and isn’t acceptable on a pitch as much as anyone - that way we can ensure that everyone behaves themselves and that the game is safe and competitive.
What are your umpiring creds? What Level are you?
I recently formally gained my Level 2 following an assessment and after several neutral appointed matches, I was promoted to B* panel for London Hockey.
What are your umpiring aspirations? Any goals for next season and beyond?
I’d love to umpire in the National League one day. I feel that it may be a few years off yet, but in the meantime, I want to gain as much experience and knowledge from the London neutral games as I can.
How many games do you umpire in any given weekend? (eg assigned games)
Over the last four years, whilst I’ve been at THD I’ve done around 25-28 games of umpiring per season. This year I have a number but also including neutral games plus playing in my matches for the M5 and if I can squeeze any other THD fixtures in I will do them also.
Do you find that umpiring has improved your overall playing performance on the pitch - if so how?
Knowing where the defenders can and cannot stand is a big tactical advantage of umpiring. If the defender isn't 5 then what do you do to ensure that your team can benefit from that situation? It only works if you know the rules so yes absolutely it’s helped me as a player too!
How can people get an L1 at THD - how does the club support it?
Club sport at any level cannot function without officials and given we have 19 senior teams and plenty of junior teams it can make a big difference to have more aspiring umpires coming through.
My advice would always be, if someone starts shouting at you, pull a card out and they will soon stop. As for the game itself, let it flow and if you’re not sure then play on - you cannot un-blow your whistle but you can come back to an incident and change your mind.
As a club, we are keen to support our players in their development as umpires. Every month there are several online courses that not only help to strengthen knowledge of the rules but also will help to improve the level of umpiring in the local leagues.
Courses are paid for by the club in exchange for matches umpired for the club. We want to encourage and facilitate as many of our members to be at least L1 qualified as possible!
If you would like to find out more about officiating at THD or about umpiring qualifications (which are funded by the club) please contact the THD Umpiring Co-ordinator umpiring@thehockeyclub.co.uk.