Umpire Coach Pilot Programme teaches the 'Oceania Way'

Hockey New Zealand has recently collaborated with Oceania Hockey Federation to lead a 2025 National Pilot Programme for community umpire coaches throughout NZ.

The programme was a targeted pilot with the goal of building the capacity and capability of umpire coaches across the country while profiling the ‘Oceania Style’ which has been credited to much of the success of our world level officials.

Delivered by some of the most experienced and respected members of the Official’s community, Colin French, Craig Gribble, Kirsten Stuckey and Bevan Nichol, the programme was a great success with the pilot group having the opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge and experience in umpire coach performance, and to connect with peers and coach developers around the country.

A total of 16 participants (8 women and 8 men) from 13 Associations took part in the programme. Reflecting on the experience, Emma Bromwell from Southland shared, "This programme has been one of the best things I have ever done in terms of professional development. Not only did it target exactly what I'm doing locally, but the skills taught are transferable into other areas of my life."

The full list of attendees included:

Aidan Scarlet - Otago
Ethan Booth - Canterbury
Bradley Booth - Hawkes Bay
Caleb Hansen - Manuwatu
Dani Stephenson - Canterbury
Epeli Tukuca - Fiji
Luke Baird - Manuwatu
Kayla Drake - Northland
Nelly Yuhou - Poverty Bay
Luisa Balsom - Tauranga
Aidan Waller - Waikato
Kieran Wells - Wellington
Antony Bax - Westcoast
Elize Meyer - Auckland
Keryn Wood - Marlborough
Emma Bromell - Southland

From the learnings and developments of this pilot program, Hockey New Zealand are working towards a national roll out of the Umpire Coaching Programme for youth and community umpire coaches in March 2026.