For our players, umpiring a couple of matches each season is just part of the requirements to being a club member and helping to run hockey for one another. Some look forward to the experience of guiding the ebb and flow of a game and supporting the other club teams and some nervously take the whistle in hand.

As a club, we want to support all our members develop the confidence required, the understanding of the rules of hockey and the skills of umpiring. The club will also actively assist those members who are keen to progress further and look towards National and potentially International umpiring.

Hockey Ireland has launched its Umpiring Development Pathway and there are upcoming online Q&A webinars with umpire Alison Keogh on Wednesday 26th June 2024 at 7.30pm; and umpire Tanja Schaefer on Tuesday 30th July 2024 at 7.30pm. You can register for these by emailing niamh.fahey@hockey.ie

The goal of the new pathway is to develop our members who umpire week to week, improving the standard of club umpires whilst also showing those who want to progress, how to do so.

There is more information on the Hockey Ireland website at: https://hockey.ie/get-involved/umpire/ and this sets out Hockey Ireland's initial focus on growing the base of umpires through accessible step by step courses, before further developing umpires through opportunities and support at provincial, national and international levels.

We would encourage all members to refresh themselves on the rules of hockey. They can also complete the online rules test and consider taking the online Fundamentals of Umpiring modules to build their understanding and confidence in umpiring for the season ahead.