Umpire Developers are at the heart of official retention and progression. Whether you are helping beginners build confidence or guiding panel umpires towards elite fixtures, developers make a lasting impact on our sport.
Why Become an Umpire Developer?
- Support New Umpires: Help new officials feel welcome, safe, and supported from day one
- Develop Existing Umpires: Offer constructive, practical coaching that helps officials refine their skills
- Assess Progression: Trained assessors provide objective, evidence-based evaluations against the England Hockey standards
- Mentor Aspiring Officials: Share game wisdom and offer guidance over the course of a season
- Improve Standards in Clubs: Raise game quality and fair play across local matches and leagues
Why a New Pathway for Developers?
- To support the new Umpire Pathway, England Hockey is creating a nationally consistent structure for Umpire Developers
- Clear Roles: Move away from one-size-fits-all expectations and choose specific developer roles that match your strengths (Coach, Assessor, Tutor, Mentor, Manager)
- Grades & Skills: Clear developer grades combined with flexible skill specialisms
Key Features
- Clear Grades & Structures: Simple steps from entry-level developer roles to national panel leadership
- Nationally Consistent Standards: Standardised coaching tools and assessment criteria used across the country
- Skills-Focused Development: Practical workshops and observed practice so you learn by doing
- Flexible Role Paths: Pick and choose the roles you enjoy most—coaching, tutoring, assessing, mentoring or managing
- Ongoing Support: Regular developer catch-ups, review toolkits, and Area led support
Developer Grade Summary
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- Environment: Club hockey focusing on supporting Grade 3, 4 & 5 umpires
- Training: Complete the relevant Developer Technical Training and training for the Developer Skill(s), followed by supported and observed practice
- Maintenance: Maintain the requirements of the Developer Skill(s) held, including relevant CPD, safeguarding and mandatory learning
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- Environment: Within the Area, supporting Grade 3, 2 and aspiring Grade 1 umpires
- Training: Complete Grade 2 Developer Technical Training and the required training for the Developer Skill(s) being undertaken
- Maintenance: Maintain the requirements of the Developer Skill(s) held, including relevant CPD, safeguarding and mandatory learning
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- Environment: National performance environment, supporting Grade 2 and Grade 1 umpires and contributing to development of Umpire Developers
- Training: Complete Grade 1 Developer Technical Training and the required training for the Developer Skill(s) being undertaken
- Maintenance: Maintain the requirements of the Developer Skill(s) held, including relevant CPD, safeguarding and mandatory learning
Developer Roles & Skills Matrix
While grades provide a baseline structure, skills and practical roles are what matter most. You can specialise in one or more roles based on your experience and interests:
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- Focus: Practical coaching and performance development for umpires
- Key Skills: Match analysis, positioning feedback, and instant pitch side guidance
- Maintenance: Complete skill CPD at least once every three years, as well as maintain the required safeguarding training
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- Focus: Long-term development, reflection, confidence and progression
- Key Skills: Active listening, goal setting, reflective questioning and supporting long-term development
- Maintenance: Complete skill CPD at least once every three years, as well as maintain the required safeguarding training
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- Focus: Fair evaluation against England Hockey Umpire Performance Standards and assessment criteria
- Key Skills: Objective observation, standard-driven scoring, and balanced report writing
- Maintenance: Complete skill CPD at least once every three years, as well as maintain the required safeguarding training
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- Focus: Leading classroom sessions, online modules, and group workshops
- Key Skills: Group facilitation, interactive presentation, and curriculum delivery
- Maintenance: Complete skill CPD at least once every three years, as well as maintain the required safeguarding training
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- Focus: Leading officiating teams at tournaments and multi-pitch competitions
- Key Skills: Team leadership, event briefings, tournament logistics, and welfare
- Maintenance: Complete skill CPD at least once every three years, as well as maintain the required safeguarding training
Transition to New Pathway
Existing developers (coaches, assessors, tutors, mentors and managers) will be mapped into equivalent developer roles with full support during the transition period.
Full detail on the transition timeline, is covered on the Transition & Implementation page.
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What are the three Developer Grades?
There are three Developer Grades: Developer Grade 3, Developer Grade 2 and Developer Grade 1. They provide the framework for progression, with the level of activity and responsibility increasing from club to Area and then national environments.
Do I have to choose just one developer role?
No. Developers can develop skills in one or more roles. The five developer skills are Coach, Mentor, Assessor, Tutor and Manager, allowing developers to contribute in different ways based on their experience, interests and opportunities.
Can I be a developer without being an assessor?
Yes. Assessment is one of the five developer skills, alongside coaching, mentoring, tutoring and managing. Developers can contribute through the roles that best match their skills and experience.
How will my current developer role transfer to the new pathway?
Existing developers, including coaches, assessors, tutors, mentors and managers, will be supported through the transition and mapped into the appropriate developer grade and skill roles. England Hockey will work with Areas and NPUA to identify and map the existing developer workforce operating within each Area.
Will developer training be the same across the country?
The new pathway is designed around nationally consistent standards, tools and learning, supported through Area delivery. Developer training will be aligned to the developer grade and skills being undertaken.
Can I become a developer if I have not previously been a developer?
Yes. The new pathway provides a route for experienced officials, club volunteers and others who want to support umpire development. You will be able to explore the developer grades and skills and access the relevant training and support.
