Why it's seventh heaven for umpires in Birmingham

England’s men’s and women’s teams are going for gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. However it’s not just England’s athletes who will take centre stage at one of the most prestigious events in the hockey calendar, as there are an impressive seven English officials appointed to the umpiring team at the tournament.  

Experienced Umpire Manager Louise Knipe will be overseeing the umpiring at the men’s tournament, where umpires Bruce Bale, Dan Barstow and Nick Bennett will be in action. Hannah Harrison, Rachel Williams and Rebecca Woodcock will be umpiring during the women’s tournament.

For Dan Barstow, it’s a second appearance at a Commonwealth Games after he officiated at the 2014 event in Glasgow, where he umpired the final. This one has particular sentimental value for Barstow, after his mum Bev was selected to be a Commonwealth Games baton bearer in the run up to the event, in recognition of her dedication to the sport over many years. At this event, she will be overseeing the ball patrol team, a role she’s completed at many top-level events in this country. 

Also at the 2014 event in Glasgow was Hannah Harrison, for whom this tournament will be extra special. “I picked up an injury at Glasgow, so hopefully this tournament will be much more successful! I’m a former University of Birmingham student, so to be involved in such a major event at this venue, where I have so many great memories, will be really exciting.” 

For the other English officials, it’s a first involvement in a Commonwealth Games. Ten years on from the London Olympic Games, Nick Bennett is looking forward to the unique experience that a home games provides. “Having attended the London Olympics as a spectator, to now be umpiring at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is a real privilege. A home games is such a special event for any athlete, official or volunteer. The hockey stadium looks great, and with a capacity of over 6,000 I’m excited to see the stands packed with spectators creating a brilliant atmosphere and a legacy for the sport.” 

At 26, Rebecca Woodcock will be one of the youngest umpires at the tournament. “I’ve never been to watch a Commonwealth Games before, so to be part of a home games on the pitch will be amazing. It’s also my first involvement in a multi-sport event, so I’m really looking forward to being in the athletes’ village and mixing with elite sportsmen and women from around the world.” 

For Bruce Bale, umpiring at the Commonwealth Games has been a long-standing ambition. “As a 16-year-old I was a summer intern at England Hockey and helped with the preparation when hockey was first included for Kuala Lumpur in 1998. In 2002 I then umpired at the test event in Manchester and remember subsequently getting up at 4am whilst travelling in Australia that summer to watch the final, which was umpired by England’s Steve Brooks. More recently I was in the stands in Glasgow to watch Dan (and Scotland’s Martin Madden) umpire the final. I’ve got many memories of this event, so to be involved on the pitch this time, and sharing the experience with some old friends will be amazing.” 

Rachel Williams, who was recently promoted to the FIH Pro League Panel for umpires, will also be making her first appearance at a Commonwealth Games. “I’m tremendously excited to grow my hockey family, make more memories and friends from across the word and take in the whole atmosphere. It’s my first experience of a multi-sport event in an official capacity and what a privilege to have it on home soil. It seems a little surreal at the moment but I’ve no doubt the home crowd and familiar location will add to the event experience for me – one I wish to embrace fully while I’m there. I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience hockey from a variety of continents in this tournament and hope to learn, grow and enhance the team and experience for all.” 

The National Programme Umpiring Association (NPUA) is responsible for performance elements of the umpire development pathway in England, in collaboration with England Hockey. It provides coaching and support all the way from the National Young Umpire Programme through to the umpires operating at national league level, to umpires performing at world level events.

NPUA’s International Coordinator, Paul Box-Grainger, is understandably delighted with the achievement. “The word unique is overused. However, it is indeed unique for one nation to have seven representatives on the umpiring team at a Commonwealth Games. NPUA and England Hockey is hugely proud of all seven. We hope and believe that they will do us and themselves proud and continue the fine run of form of England umpires at international tournaments in recent times. We also hope they will enjoy the very special experience of being a part of a multi-sports event.” 

If you are interested in learning more about umpiring and how to get involved, you can access lots of support and resources here https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/deliver/officiate/umpire/getting-started