Young Umpiring

There are a number of ways you can get involved as an umpire, whether it’s picking up a whistle at your club or undertaking an Introduction to Umpiring course from England Hockey. Please click here to find out more information about this. 

Interested in finding out more about our programme and how you can get involved locally, then contact officiating@englandhockey.co.uk

We asked some of our current Young Umpires about their story and why they got involved in the England Hockey Young Umpire programmes: 

Mia Dewing

Why did you get involved in umpiring?
I got involved in umpiring to help improve my knowledge of the game and help me improve as a player. I had spoken to a few umpires who all explained how many opportunities come with umpiring which made me even keener to start.  

Why did I get involved in Umpiring? 
I got involved in umpiring at my local club (Spalding HC) in a friendly tournament and was quickly supported by Lincolnshire HUA Umpire coaches through their Young Umpire programme to progress.  

What has been your umpiring career highlight at present? 
So far, the highlight of my umpiring career was being selected for an England U16 girls game vs Scotland U16s and having the opportunity to work towards my NYUPL award.  

What are your aspirations in umpiring? 
My aspirations with umpiring are to officiate within the national league and see how far I can go both Nationally & Internationally.  

Sam Church

Why did you get involved in umpiring? 
I got into umpiring aged 15 as I wanted a new challenge and to do something different to what my friends were doing. I also got into umpiring due to my lack of playing ability and therefore the whistle appealed to me more than the stick.   

How did you get involved in umpiring? 
I have also had the opportunity to develop my umpiring by joining the South Young Umpires group. Joining this group allowed me the opportunity to develop my skills and consequently led me to achieve my Level 2 Umpiring Award aged 16. Passing my Level 2 has also allowed me to progress onto the B Panel in the South and therefore has allowed me to take charge of league games on a regular basis. I am also now a part of the National Young Umpires group which allows me to umpire junior national events up and down the country. 

What has been your career highlight? 
I have been lucky to attend the National Schools Finals at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre over the past few years. This opportunity was amazing and allowed me not only to develop my umpiring but also allowed me to give something back to the sport I used to play. 

What are your aspirations in Umpiring? 
I have also recently passed my Level 3 Assessment and joined the NPUA on the Men's B* Panel. This is something that I have been working towards for a number of years and have now reached age 18.  

Elise Charlton

How did you get involved?
I first took the Level 1 umpiring course when I was 15 but never properly pursued umpiring regularly until mid-2017 where I went to my first National U12s tournament. It was at this moment my umpiring career took a sharp turning point and I haven’t really looked back since. Through being a part of the North and Midlands Young Umpiring Programmes I progressed rapidly through the system, gaining my level 3 award a week after my 18^th birthday. 

What has been your career highlight so far? 
I’m lucky enough to have been selected for so many fantastic experiences and opportunities right from the U14 EuroHockey at the near beginning of my umpiring journey, right to the past two seasons being appointed to a diverse number of Junior International Events and Elite Development Programme games. At the age of 20, I would never have expected to be appointed to such a great range of events or that I would ever reach the National League Panels and I am hugely grateful to everybody that has supported my journey so far.