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When it comes to international hockey, the players are not the only ones who get to travel to stunning locations and sample new life experiences while doing something that they love. The umpires and officials also get these incredible opportunities, taking charge of matches and events all around the world.
A lucky bunch, eight in all, were recently appointed as the neutral umpires for the Hockey competition at the Chinese National Games, a massive multi-sport event for the Chinese nation which took place in the Liaoning Province. Hockey was one of 31 sports featuring in the Games, which like the Olympics take place once every four years.
The eight neutral umpires who featured in the Games were German Montes De Oca (ARG), Fernando Gomez (ARG), Daniel Lopez Ramos (URU), Francesco Parisi (ITA), Carolina De La Fuente (ARG) Stephanie Judefind (USA), Aleesha Unka (NZL) and Amber Church (NZL), all of whom overcome the language barrier to umpire key matches in the best possible way.
“We were all so thankful for the opportunity”, said New Zealand’s Amber Church. “We hope that we were able to present a high level of decision-making, leadership, and teamwork on and off the pitch. We would like to thank the Chinese Hockey Association for inviting us and being such exceptional hosts and the participating provinces for being so receptive to our involvement in this tournament, especially as we lacked the ability speak Chinese. Thankfully body language speaks a million words!”
Ermanno Silvano, Chair of the FIH Umpiring Committee, commented: ‘‘The co-operation of the FIH Umpiring Committee with the Chinese Hockey Association dates back to before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. We have assisted them on a regular basis with neutral umpires for their tournaments as well as course conductors for their umpiring seminars.
“Their tournaments, such as the Chinese National Games, and their umpires panels benefit from the presence of our neutral umpires, whilst our umpires are able to broaden their experience through officiating a different style of hockey within a different culture and environment. We see this as beneficial to both parties. In all of the years of our co-operation, we can safely say that every single umpire who has been to one of the tournaments in China has thoroughly enjoyed every moment of their experience.’’
