The club umpire programme is aimed at engaging with and growing the number of umpires in your club and supporting them to be confident and enjoy umpiring!

Timeline of the programme:

• Pilot programme in season 2022/23 across 10-15 clubs
• Open invite to all clubs to take part in the programme 2023/24
• Intention to make mandatory within all Hockey Ireland affiliated clubs for season 2024/25

Who can be a club umpire coach:

• Current or former provincial/national umpire OR
• Completed (or will complete) Rules of Hockey online quiz and Fundamentals of umpiring module 1

What training does the club umpire coach receive:

• IHUA Club Umpire Coach Course
• 2 seminars per season (the initial IHUA club umpire coach course counts as the 1st seminar)
  • The aim of the seminars is to keep the club umpire coaches up to date with the developments in umpiring (new rules etc) and to address any concerns/issues and also to gain their input into improving the programme
• The club umpire coach will also be supported by their provincial umpire association and their regional development officer

If you would like to get involved – email Stephen Jenkins on umpires@avocahockeyclub.ie

Together with the Leinster Branch and Hockey Ireland, Avoca is trying to not just recruit umpires but to make umpiring a key part of hockey development in our Club. We are working to align umpiring training with national and international standards.

Part of our hockey development plan is umpiring education and helping you with your own umpire-development pathway. If you are 12 or older you can start your own umpire career.

Club member Stephen Jenkins, playing with the Fearsome 4’s (last seasons Minor Cup winners) will be our umpire development liaison person. With the help of the Leinster and Irish Hockey Umpire panels he will be a key part of the clubs’ umpiring development. “There is much more to follow” according to Stephen, but “if you want to get into umpiring and want support from within the club just contact me!”

The four seminars hosted by Leinster hockey will be a great indicator if you like umpiring and help you to understand how umpires think and come to certain decisions. Let Stephen know if you would like to attend: 086 310 8639.

Or book here for the first seminar: https://forms.gle/j73tpw6sKPxPvdVU9