Umpiring career path in field hockey
Every match needs umpires, and clubs are always looking for more. Umpiring is also one of the few hockey pathways that can lead to international tournaments without a playing career.
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Where most umpires start
Most umpires begin at their own club, taking friendly or lower-league matches, then take a first course and build experience before being assessed for higher levels.
First courses
- FIH Academy, Level 1 Umpire Award (L1U). The FIH describes it as the first step on its umpire pathway, for people looking to umpire in a club or school environment. The online version listed by the Academy is run as 6 hours of live sessions with up to 16 participants (FIH Academy, L1U).
- England Hockey, Level 1 umpiring course. England Hockey describes a blended course for people aged 14 and over: two short e-learning modules (safeguarding awareness and a rules test) and a two-hour online workshop. On completion, participants receive a certificate and "Level 1 Unassessed" status (England Hockey).
Progressing
England Hockey explains that after gaining experience, umpires are supported by their local Area Officiating Committee to find matches and develop, and that advanced umpires can pursue the National Hockey Umpire award through the National Programme Umpiring Association, which leads towards national and international appointments (England Hockey). Other countries have their own structure; your national association's officiating team can tell you how assessments work.
Is umpiring a job?
At club level, umpiring is mostly voluntary or paid as match fees and expenses, and arrangements differ by league. Some umpires combine umpiring with roles such as officiating education, competition management or club administration; see sports administration and events.