Leinster Hockey Umpires Academy Launch
November 07, 2023
The LHUA launched their Umpire Academy on Sunday, November 5th, in TRR H.C. The aim of the academy is to support and progress the development of young umpires in Leinster who display the potential, ambition and willingness to umpire at Provincial level and ultimately at National Level. This follows on from the creation of the IHUA National Academy last year, which has proven to be a great success. It is hoped that LHUA academy members will be selected for the National Academy should they display the required potential and dedication to progress their umpiring careers.
Tom Goode (Academy Lead) stated “The programme being used is based largely on the highly successful EuroHockey Umpire Development Programme using a mixture of online and in person webinars and seminars. LHUA EuroHockey UDP graduates include Ali Keogh, Geoff Conn & Shane O’Donnell, while Ray O’Connor, Claire Kelly, Carol Metchette and myself have been mentors. It is hoped the LHUA can add to these numbers via the LHUA & IHUA Academies. It is also hoped that, should sufficient numbers display interest, to start with another group at the start of next season. I would encourage anyone who is be interested to contact us at lhua.development@gmail.com”.
Photo L to R: Gillian Garrett (mentor), Jess Rule, Ciaran Lyons, Neil Mackay (mentor), Euan Mackay, Sunny Charles, Peter Urwin, Keela Neville, Andy Waller. Not in photo – Shane O’Donnell (mentor, Craig Mackay, Niall Ryan Doyle, Cameron Slade & Joshua Greaney.
