Whether you umpire local club games on Saturday mornings or aspire to officiate in the National League Premier Division, the new pathway is designed to support you at every stage. It gives you clear criteria for your level, regular developer feedback, and transparent requirements for moving up.
Detailed Grade Expectations & Requirements
Expand a grade below to see match environments, key focus areas, promotion criteria, and ongoing maintenance.
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- Match Level: Local club adult fixtures, lower league teams, and junior matches.
- Key Focus: Fundamental umpiring skills, safe decision making, positioning, signals and clear communication.
- Requirements to Achieve: Complete the England Hockey Rules Learning & Assessment E-Learning, Safeguarding Training and Umpire Core Skills Modules
- Developer Support: Supported locally by your Club Umpire Liaison Officer (ULO) and club developers.
- Grade Maintenance: Take part in at least three officiating hockey activities, games or tournaments over three years, complete Critical Rule & Guidance updates as they are released by EHO, and maintain EHO membership.
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- Match Level: Club and lower league matches.
- Key Focus: Consistency, positioning, anticipation, communication and developing player management.
- Requirements to Achieve: Complete five on-pitch activities at Grade 5 within three years
- Developer Support: Access to club-based development and EHO-created resources, with support from appropriately trained developers
- Grade Maintenance: Umpire a minimum of five Grade 4 games every three years, complete Critical Rule & Guidance updates and maintain EHO membership.
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- Match Level: Upper regional divisions and Area cup matches
- Key Focus: Game management, anticipation, proactive communication, player management and influence.
- Requirements to Achieve: Complete the required Grade 3 learning and five Grade 3 games, which can include a formal Grade 3 assessment
- Developer Support: Club and Area-based support, observation and feedback, including organised development activities.
- Grade Maintenance: Umpire a minimum of five Grade 3 games every three years, complete Critical Rule & Guidance updates and maintain EHO membership
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- Match Level: Top-level Area and Grade 2 competitions, with National opportunities where appropriate.
- Key Focus: Consistent match leadership, advanced game understanding, adaptability, player management and performance under pressure.
- Requirements to Achieve: Complete the required Area mentoring and development, meet the agreed fitness standard and complete the Grade 2 assessment.
- Developer Support: Area-based coaching, mentoring, assessment and development appropriate to the umpire’s stage and grade.
- Grade Maintenance: Umpire a minimum of five Grade 2 games every two years, maintain the required fitness standard and EHO membership, complete Critical Rule & Guidance updates, and continue to engage in annual CPD, mentoring, coaching and feedback
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- Match Level: National League, England Hockey competitions, national finals and other high-performance domestic hockey
- Key Focus: High-performance game management, instinctive decision making, subtle communication, leadership and consistency.
- Requirements to Achieve: Complete the required development and mentoring, meet the agreed fitness standard and successfully complete the Grade 1 assessment.
- Developer Support: National developer coaching, mentoring, assessment and performance development.
- Grade Maintenance: Umpire a minimum of four Grade 1 games every year, maintain the required fitness standard, complete Critical Rule & Guidance updates, maintain EHO membership and continue to engage with mentoring, coaching, CPD and development
- Grade 1 provides a platform for international aspirations, but international selection is a separate process
What Makes an Effective Umpire?
The nine NPUA characteristics of a high-performing umpire have been adopted as the official EHO Umpiring Characteristics, providing a consistent framework across the pathway, at every level:
- Accuracy of Decisions: Correctly applying the rules of hockey
- Composure: Staying calm and confident under pressure
- Communication: Using clear, respectful words and body language
- Empathy: Understanding game context and player reactions
- Fitness & Athleticism: Keeping pace with the flow of the match
- Game Understanding: Reading play, advantages, and tactical flow
- Poise & Presence: Holding authority with confidence on the pitch
- Coachability: Openness to feedback and learning
- Resilience: Bouncing back quickly from mistakes or difficult games
Note on How Characteristics Are Used: These characteristics are split across the new grades, so they fit your current stage of development. All learning modules focus on the key characteristics for your grade. Demonstrating skills from higher grades is welcomed and celebrated but only required when stepping up to that level.
What Changes for You?
- Clear Expectations: You always know exactly what developers are looking for when observing your match.
- Development with Assessment: Umpires build experience, receive coaching and feedback, complete the required learning and undertake formal assessment where required
- National Recognition: Your grade is recognised across all Areas, so if you move home or club, your grade moves with you.
- Supportive Environment: Developers are there to help you improve, build confidence, and enjoy your umpiring.
How Will Your Current Grade Transition?
You will not lose your current status when the new pathway launches in September 2027. Existing officials will receive clear information about how their current accreditation will transition to the new pathway before implementation.
Full details are covered on the Transition & Implementation page.
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How do I know which grade I should be working towards?
Your current grade, practical experience and the level of hockey you are officiating will help determine where you are on the pathway. Each grade has clear expectations covering the match environment, development focus, achievement requirements and ongoing maintenance.
What happens if I don't pass my assessment?
A formal assessment is an opportunity to demonstrate that you are ready to operate at the required standard. If you are not yet ready, you will receive feedback to help identify areas for development before trying again. Assessments should be seen as part of an umpires development journey.
Is the Grade 3 assessment in addition to the five Grade 3 games?
No. The five Grade 3 games can include the formal Grade 3 assessment. The assessment does not have to be an additional sixth activity.
What does “maintenance” mean?
Maintenance means continuing to meet the requirements and standards associated with your grade after you have achieved it. This includes remaining active at the required level, completing Critical Rule & Guidance updates and maintaining EHO membership, with additional requirements at Grades 2 and 1.
What happens if I want to progress faster?
The pathway supports progression based on readiness rather than simply time served. In some circumstances, accelerated progression may be possible where an umpire can demonstrate the required standard and experience.
Does being Grade 1 mean I will be selected for international hockey?
No. Grade 1 provides a platform for international aspirations, but international selection is a separate process.