Newsletter October 2018
Loading...
From the ChairLoading...
Loading...
John TaylorLoading...
Loading...
Firstly I would like to thank my predecessor Jaime Hindle who stepped down from the role of Chair after six seasons. He took over at a difficult time for the WHUA and saw us progress to where we are currently. Season 2017 - 2018 had some major high points for the organisation, these highlights included:
> Karen Evans, Cathy Wright and Jamie Hooper appointed to the Commonwealth Games.
> Kevin Roberts and Jon McCall completing assessments to progress onto the National League.
> Kevin Roberts, Abby McCarthur and Jamie Hooper receiving their international badges following strong performances at their respective indoor tournaments, and progressing onto the FIH's promising list.
> Cathy Wright promoted to the outdoor promising list.
> Christian Phillips Adams, Chloe McCall and Toni-Lee Lambert being nominated for NPUA Development Panel.
> First international tournaments for Claire Barwood and Toni-Lee Lambert.
> Luke Rees being accepted onto U4E.
On top of all this it is great to see the umpires on the Development Panel going from strength to strength and starting to progress up the umpiring pathway. On the officiating side we now have a number of young officials who are in training and it is hoped that you will see more of these at various national events throughout Wales. Finally, last season saw us strike a deal with Adidas to ensure that our National Panel umpires and officials now look the part when they turn up to games and tournaments.
Thanks to those who filled in the survey we put out at the start of the summer; one of the things that this highlighted was that the support that we provide our club umpires is lacking. This is being addressed and the two regional committees have been asked to have a look at this as part of this seasons activities.
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Following consulatation with Hockey Wales, and again, as a result of comments made in the survey, we are hoping to increase the support that we provide to those umpires who attend a level 1 course by giving them a mentor who they can contact for support and guidence leading up to the assessment.We have also looked at the umpire and officials pathway to try and make it more relevent to the league stuctures and to provide a clearer way through to the higher levels. These new structures are outlined on the next few pages.
Yet again, our umpires and officials continue to shine at EHF and FIH appointed tournaments and we hope that this can continue throughout this season and beyond.
We are fortunate enough to have some very dedicated people volunteering for roles within the organisation and I would like to thank them for all the work they have done in the past and are going to do in the future.
If you are interested in umpiring or officiating then contact us using the contacts listed at the back of this book.
Loading...
Loading...
4689 / Mini Umpire
Aimed at those wanting to only umpire mini-hockey or 4689 games. Currently in development with Hockey Wales.
Club Umpire
Umpires who have completed their level 1 theory course, but not yet passed the practical assessment.
Level 1 Umpire
Umpires who have attended the theory and passed the practical assessment
Umpire Pathway
Regional Umpire
One of the things that the Executive Committee has been doing is looking at the pathways for both umpires and pofficials and making them more relevant for the structure of hockey that we have in Wales at the moment. This model has been devised by looking at the pathway an umpire has to take umpire the highest standard of games in the joint Wales and England League system. The Development Panel has been put in place to help those umpire who have expressed an interest and a commitment to umpiring progress up the pathway.
Aimed at level 1 umpires who want to start umpiring at a higher level of hockey. Becoming a regional umpire requires you to be watched on at least two games of a suitable standard and assessed as suitable for this level.
Level 2 Umpire
Those umpires who have left the region and are umpiring in the second tier of the league system (the one below National League). Usually top two divisions of the feeder leagues to the National League.
Level 3 Umpire
For those umpires who are umpiring at the top end of the game having achieved NPUA status.
Officials Pathway
Technical Officials are those members of the WHUA who are appointed to tournaments to ensure they run smoothly and in line with competition regulations. There are three levels of Technical Official
Judge
A judge is either responsible for running game time and the scoreboard or involved in recording the games statistics for example substitutions, goals etc.
Technical Officer
A technical Officer is responsible for ensuring the game runs smoothly, ensuring the team benches follow the rules set out in the regulations and helps the umpires on the pitch by timing cards during games.
Technical Delegate
A Technical Delegate is responsible for the overall running of the tournament.
Judge
A judge is either responsible for running game time and the scoreboard or involved in recording the games statistics for example substitutions, goals etc.
Technical Officer
A technical Officer is responsible for ensuring the game runs smoothly, ensuring the team benches follow the rules set out in the regulations and helps the umpires on the pitch by timing cards during games.
Technical Delegate
A Technical Delegate is responsible for the overall running of the tournament.
Trainee Judge
The first steps on the officiating ladder. Once you have expressed an interest, a trainee judge will shadow an existing judge for at least two games, before having a go on your own.
Judge
A trainee judge becomes a judge once they have successfully completed at least four games and been signed off by a existing experienced official.
Trainee Technical Officer
A judge can move up to a Technical Officer once they have completed at least 15 games as a judge AND have been recommended for progression by at least two experienced Technical Officers.
Technical Officer
A trainee Technical Officer becomes a Technical Officer once an experienced official has signed off on their progress and declared them competent. A Technical Officer can be appointed to any game determined by the Appointments Committee including acting as a Match Official.
Once at this level a consideration, is given to the Technical Official progressing to the EHF pathway.
Technical Delegate
A Technical Officer can become a Technical Delegate if the Appointments Committee consider that person to be suitable for the role.
The first steps on the officiating ladder. Once you have expressed an interest, a trainee judge will shadow an existing judge for at least two games, before having a go on your own.
Judge
A trainee judge becomes a judge once they have successfully completed at least four games and been signed off by a existing experienced official.
Trainee Technical Officer
A judge can move up to a Technical Officer once they have completed at least 15 games as a judge AND have been recommended for progression by at least two experienced Technical Officers.
Technical Officer
A trainee Technical Officer becomes a Technical Officer once an experienced official has signed off on their progress and declared them competent. A Technical Officer can be appointed to any game determined by the Appointments Committee including acting as a Match Official.
Once at this level a consideration, is given to the Technical Official progressing to the EHF pathway.
Technical Delegate
A Technical Officer can become a Technical Delegate if the Appointments Committee consider that person to be suitable for the role.
North Region
David Leighton
The North AGM held in September 2017 had no changes to the Committee, We then held a Committee meeting straight after where it was decided that we would press ahead with a concentrated effort to have more umpires and develop umpiring in every North Wales Club in 2017/2018.
We also wrote to every club in North Wales Region regarding how many umpires they have (this was not the Hockey Wales list). To be fair every club bar one replied from North Region and the total number of umpires was 138. This was made up of active/players 92, inactive/players 14 and not yet assessed 32. We also then gave every club a nominated umpire mentor/coach to assist with umpire development.
This gave us a massive insight into which clubs were struggling for umpires and those clubs who had many umpires.
During the season it was good to note that all games in every League ie North Wales Ladies, Mens North West and also Cheshire Ladies were played and umpires found to make sure these games went ahead.
On the Development front 2 level 1 Courses went ahead with approx 16 umpires on the courses and approx. 7 of those were successful in passing their assessments. Also it has been pleasing to note that the radios we bought are now being used in a couple of clubs in North Region. We have also had some small success with clubs in using mentors/coaches for newly assessed umpires. Clearly we have a long way to go but from 2018/2019 we are going to have a big push to do more coaching for every club in North Region. Kev Roberts, myself, Ian Wright, Nicci Ashcroft, Rachael White, Clare Barwood will be going round clubs helping them to develop umpiring.
We also wrote to every club in North Wales Region regarding how many umpires they have (this was not the Hockey Wales list). To be fair every club bar one replied from North Region and the total number of umpires was 138. This was made up of active/players 92, inactive/players 14 and not yet assessed 32. We also then gave every club a nominated umpire mentor/coach to assist with umpire development.
This gave us a massive insight into which clubs were struggling for umpires and those clubs who had many umpires.
During the season it was good to note that all games in every League ie North Wales Ladies, Mens North West and also Cheshire Ladies were played and umpires found to make sure these games went ahead.
On the Development front 2 level 1 Courses went ahead with approx 16 umpires on the courses and approx. 7 of those were successful in passing their assessments. Also it has been pleasing to note that the radios we bought are now being used in a couple of clubs in North Region. We have also had some small success with clubs in using mentors/coaches for newly assessed umpires. Clearly we have a long way to go but from 2018/2019 we are going to have a big push to do more coaching for every club in North Region. Kev Roberts, myself, Ian Wright, Nicci Ashcroft, Rachael White, Clare Barwood will be going round clubs helping them to develop umpiring.
Some of the money we received from the Regional Board went to buy 5 “3” way radios as well as a laptop and projector to use in the Level 1 courses.
On the technical side of officiating it has been great to see Kloe Jarvis and Alice Gregory progressing well and getting Cup Final appointments and also Youth Finals. I am confident (especially after the Women's Master's Tournament) that we now have the experience in the North to develop the technical side even further.
As far as our development of our young umpires, all seems to be going well. Clare Barwood has made great steps forward on the Development Panel as she has had both a Cup Final and European appointment. Joe Turner is also making progress as he also has had a Cup Final appointment and is umpiring in the North West Mens League.
However, it is Kevin Roberts who makes all the news in the North with his appointment to NPUA, as well as several European Appointments. We are all very proud up here on his achievements.
We have to offer our thanks a special thank you to Phil Leach from Hockey Wales who made a great impact in setting up the level 1 Umpire Courses and also liaising with us on any umpiring issues we had. He will be sorely missed, but are looking forward to working with Tom Little to carry on the good work.
It was great to have a meeting with our colleagues from the South and the WHUA chairman which gave both regions strategies to implement for the forthcoming season.
On the technical side of officiating it has been great to see Kloe Jarvis and Alice Gregory progressing well and getting Cup Final appointments and also Youth Finals. I am confident (especially after the Women's Master's Tournament) that we now have the experience in the North to develop the technical side even further.
As far as our development of our young umpires, all seems to be going well. Clare Barwood has made great steps forward on the Development Panel as she has had both a Cup Final and European appointment. Joe Turner is also making progress as he also has had a Cup Final appointment and is umpiring in the North West Mens League.
However, it is Kevin Roberts who makes all the news in the North with his appointment to NPUA, as well as several European Appointments. We are all very proud up here on his achievements.
We have to offer our thanks a special thank you to Phil Leach from Hockey Wales who made a great impact in setting up the level 1 Umpire Courses and also liaising with us on any umpiring issues we had. He will be sorely missed, but are looking forward to working with Tom Little to carry on the good work.
It was great to have a meeting with our colleagues from the South and the WHUA chairman which gave both regions strategies to implement for the forthcoming season.
South Region
Mike Riches
Another season is getting closer. Its time to dust off the cards, charge the radios and apply skin thickener.
It is an expectation of umpires who, like players, have had a break between seasons but are still expected to hit the ground running producing cards with rapier like efficiency and be lightening quick on the whistle. It's a difficult job at times, one that unless you experience it for yourself is never completely understood or appreciated.
During the break we have had discussions both within the Region and with our colleagues from the north and agreed that, as well as continuing to train and qualify new umpires, we also concentrate on those who have qualified providing them with support and advice when required.
It was thought a good idea to have a qualified umpire/mentor present on certain Saturdays at locations where there are several games taking place. They would be available to watch and support, not assess, a colleague who feels casting a fresh pair of eyes on their performance might be beneficial. We will be issuing a list of dates and locations which will be soon.
It is an expectation of umpires who, like players, have had a break between seasons but are still expected to hit the ground running producing cards with rapier like efficiency and be lightening quick on the whistle. It's a difficult job at times, one that unless you experience it for yourself is never completely understood or appreciated.
During the break we have had discussions both within the Region and with our colleagues from the north and agreed that, as well as continuing to train and qualify new umpires, we also concentrate on those who have qualified providing them with support and advice when required.
It was thought a good idea to have a qualified umpire/mentor present on certain Saturdays at locations where there are several games taking place. They would be available to watch and support, not assess, a colleague who feels casting a fresh pair of eyes on their performance might be beneficial. We will be issuing a list of dates and locations which will be soon.
It's important to mention that we are here to help if we can. We have a wealth of resources / experience within the Committee, the Region and Welsh hockey generally. We have umpires who have been there, done it and got the T-shirt. It would be criminal to let their knowledge and experience go to waste. Feel free to contact us personally or collectively and if we can't give you the answers you want we probably know someone who can.
Umpiring is difficult at the best of times but can be incredibly rewarding. Having said that there are occasions when umpires have been subject to abuse from players and supporters. We want you to enjoy umpiring, any such abuse directed towards umpires is totally unacceptable. If you are unfortunate to experience this then please let us know.
Finally I wish you all a rewarding and successful Season.
Umpiring is difficult at the best of times but can be incredibly rewarding. Having said that there are occasions when umpires have been subject to abuse from players and supporters. We want you to enjoy umpiring, any such abuse directed towards umpires is totally unacceptable. If you are unfortunate to experience this then please let us know.
Finally I wish you all a rewarding and successful Season.