Ulster Hockey Umpire Academy Launched

The Ulster Hockey Umpire Academy (UHUA) is being launched to support the development of young umpires across Ulster to develop and progress into the National Umpire Academy.

Structure of the UHUA

The UHUA will aim to consist of 12-15 people. Ulster Hockey will appoint mentors to the UHUA.

The UHUA will work as follows:

• Accelerating development and coaching through mentoring, workshops, seminars, and guest speakers.
• Appointments will be organised with experienced colleagues were possible.
• Participate in tournaments for development, when available or appropriate
• Youth Tournaments
• Schools Finals
• Minor Club Finals Day
• Ulster underage Development matches
• Identify those umpires with the potential, willingness, and ambition to progress umpiring at National level and beyond.

Graduation from the UHUA

Umpires accepted into the UHUA will be there for a proposed period of a maximum of three years. Within this three-year timeframe, umpires will be reviewed annually with their mentors to ensure that they are engaged with the programme, are committed to umpiring regularly, and are benefitting from the programme.

There is the potential for umpires to remain on the programme beyond this time period. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Entry into the UHUA

Ulster Hockey are reaching out to Clubs to seek nominations. Clubs will be asked to provide us with information relating to their nominated umpires including their age, commitment to umpiring, and any other relevant information pertaining to their development.

Entry criteria

• Umpires should be between 16-24 years old
• The umpire must have completed the Hockey Ireland Online rules test.
• The umpire must also have completed one of the following - 
• Hockey Ireland Fundamentals 1
• Ulster Hockey Club Umpire Workshop
• Young Leaders Course
• Ulster Hockey Young Umpires
  
  

The club will actively support any member interested in attending and will refund any associated fees and expenses