Emma Davey (2005 Young Umpire of the Year) and Dan Barstow, last year's winner

Setting the standards 

In the Year of the Umpire, England Hockey’s young umpire development programme has proved a huge success 

England Hockey celebrated their 10th Young Umpire Challenge and the National Young Umpire Development Programme has been a fantastic roller coaster with the many young umpires now moving towards the international arena a testament to the expertise and commitment of all involved. 

“Developing umpires is easy if they have potential, opportunity and qualitative support,” says Jane Nockolds of England Hockey. 

The Young Umpire Challenge was introduced in 1995 and the key aim was to train and appoint a team of young umpires to the National Mini Hockey Championship Finals. Young volunteers came forward from across the country and the first of many training and assessment programmes began. 

Of the 12 young umpires that participated in 1995, nine are now umpiring regularly in the English Hockey League as Level 3 umpires and three are accredited as Level 2 intending to progress in the coming 12 months. 

There are now Young Umpire Challenges held at regional level and in 2006 it is intended that there will be five qualifying championship challenges with the highest performers appointed to the National Challenge in May.  

So why does it work so well? Why are there more than 1000 young umpires (under 21 years) accredited in England now and what does England Hockey do to attract these young people into what for many is seen as a ‘to be avoided at all costs’ area of our sport? 

England has a national young umpire promising list and these people get high level support and opportunity. 

All competitions involving young people have a minimum of 50 percent of the umpire appointment vacancies set aside for young umpires. 

Junior international training and matches are all priority appointments for the young umpires. 

The British Universities hockey programme (leagues and championship) is set aside for young umpires from quarter finals on. 

All umpire managers and coaches in the national programme are trained to work with and coach young umpires. 

All England teams competing in European Hockey Federation junior tournaments take a young umpire with them. 

The National Young Umpire Development programme has been introduced across the country and a team of coaches and mentors specialising in young umpire development work alongside young umpires at local, city, borough and area youth games. 

The umpiring award structure is designed to begin delivery to young people at only eight years of age. 

There are three steps on the young umpire pathway for those who want to progress to higher levels; the Young Umpire Award, the Foundation Umpire Award and the Level 1 Umpire Award. 

The young umpires are encouraged to help and support each other right from the start and they become a team that grows and climbs the success ladder together. 

There are Young Umpiring Fun Days operating regularly across the country where young players or those interested in hockey come together and have a fun time enjoying learning and trying new things in an informal but structured day that runs alongside small–sided games in a tournament. 

There are posters and kits and free whistles and books and shirts of every colour under the rainbow. 

‘Start, Stay, Succeed’ is the theme and that’s just what they have done and are continuing to do in ever-increasing numbers. 

Fact File
Emma Davey
England Hockey Young Umpire of the Year 2005
16 years old
From Billericay in Essex
Attends Mayflower High School
Plays and umpires for Brentwood Hockey Club
Plays in East Region League (Div 1)
Was introduced to umpiring as a part of the EH Young Umpire Development Programme in 2003 when she attended the East Young Umpires Day
Has been umpiring for 20 months and is already accredited as an EH Level 2 Umpire
Progressed from Young Umpire Award to Foundation, to Level 1 to Level 2 in record time
Coaches, mentors and support structure throughout