Umpiring at Northern Districts
Club Umpire Coordinator - Nathan Rees
Junior Umpire Coordinator - Elliot Anthonisz
For all enquiries, please contact ndhaumpires@gmail.com
Interested in Becoming an Umpire?
It’s no secret that without umpires, we would have no games! The Junior, Women’s and Men’s competitions all need umpires to be allocated to weekly games. The club organises experienced mentors to guide brand-new umpires as they learn the rules of the game, how to conduct themselves on the field, and how to manage the players and keep everyone safe.
There is a series of Umpire Accreditationsthat are currently under review by Hockey Australia and Hockey NSW. The emerging framework includes two accreditation levels relevant to umpiring in local competitions in which ND teams are involved:
Foundation Support Umpire - 1 hour online course with a quiz
Fountdation Lead Umpire - 2 hour online course with a quiz, and on-field assessment
Umpire Resources
There is general information available on the Hockey NSW website about how to get involved with your Foundation accreditations: https://www.hockey.org.au/hockey-ed/umpiring/
The standard International Hockey Federation (FIH) Rules apply to most formats of the game. A very useful resource is the FIH “Rules of Hockey” mobile phone app, which documents all current FIH rules and has a quiz function for you to test your knowledge. Visit the FIH website for more information on these resources: https://www.fih.hockey/about-fih/official-documents/rules-of-hockey
Some rule modifications apply to junior games (U6-U18). Documentation for these rule modifications and other by-laws can be found on the North Area Junior Hockey website: http://www.nahockey.org.au/by-laws/
FAQs
Do I need to play hockey to be an umpire?
No, you just have to be keen and willing to learn!
How old do I need to be to become an umpire?
There is no strict minimum age, however we would suggest 13-15 years old as an ideal age to start learning.
Can I umpire if I am a keen parent?
Yes, it’s a great way to get involved in the game and give back to the club!
How long does it take until I can umpire a game competently without a mentor?
This will depend on how regularly you can be paired up with a mentor. It may take a full season before you are competent enough to umpire by yourself.
If I already have some umpiring experience, do I have to start from the beginning?
No, based on your ability we will get you started at an appropriate age group and division.
Are umpires paid?
Yes, once you are competent enough to umpire a game without a mentor, you will be paid based on the age group and division. You will not be paid when being paired up with a mentor.
