David Lillywhite - HGWHUA Chairman - has released an End of Season letter, covering some outstanding issues of importance for all HGWHUA members...

2013 End of Season Chairman's Letter

Updated: 11/04/13

Posted: 11 April 2013

Notice is hereby given that the HGWHUA AGM 2013 will take place on Monday 25 March 2013 at Cheltenham Civil Service Club starting at 7.30pm.

The Agenda has now been published and is available below...

2013 AGM Agenda

Updated: 13/03/13

2012 AGM Appointments Report

Updated: 22/03/13

2012 AGM Coaching Report

Updated: 26/03/13

2012 AGM Minutes (Unapproved)

Updated: 21/03/13

14/08/12 EGM Minutes (Unapproved)

Updated: 22/03/13

Posted: 13 March 2013 | Last Updated: 26 March 2013

The following two excerpts are taken from communications sent by Richard Glynne-Jones, the new National Manager for Officiating and Volunteers from the England Hockey Board...

I am now into my fourth week in post and wanted to take the opportunity to update you on progress so far and to outline future direction.

I’ve spent much of my time gathering information on the hockey officiating landscape – through plenty of reading, telephone conversations and meetings. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of you already and can quite clearly see how much expertise exists at every level and the enormous amount of excellent work that is being put in by large numbers of volunteers.

The information I have gathered is helping me to understand how I can support the work of HUAs in the future and has confirmed my view that high quality umpiring can contribute significantly to players enjoying a high quality experience, a crucial factor in the development of the sport. I believe that there are four main drivers (below) that are key to improving the standard of umpiring at all levels and it is on these areas that I will continue to concentrate.

• The recruitment of new umpires into the sport
• The provision of high quality umpire accreditation courses and CPD opportunities
• The development of a high quality workforce (tutors, umpire coaches and assessors)
• The creation of clear education and development pathways

It is my intention to produce, by mid December, a series of proposals focussing principally on these areas and to develop a process through which I can then further consult with you. Your input will be key to determining the future strategy for the development of officiating.

followed by...

Further to my email of 23rd October below, a series of proposals centred principally around the four areas below have now been developed:

• Recruitment of umpires to county HUAs
• Provision of training courses and continuous development opportunities
• Development and deployment of the training and development workforce
• Establishment of pathways that allow suitably trained officials to fulfil their potential

I would appreciate the opportunity to present these proposals to you, and your members, and to receive feedback on them. This will be an important part of determining the future direction for umpire development.

I have arranged a number of meetings around the country early in 2013 for this purpose and would like to invite you and your members to attend the most convenient meeting. Please see the details below – I will confirm, in due course, locations for the Oxfordshire and Durham meetings on 10th and 29th January respectively.

If you wish to attend these meetings, please let us know so that we can collate the interest and pass on to Richard.

Posted: 18 December 2012

Many of you will have seen umpires at International Tournaments using headsets to communicate not only with TV replay umpires but also between themselves. In more recent times the use of this technology has become widespread in National League matches and is slowly becoming more commonplace in West Premier League matches. Almost all comments on the use of this technology as an aid to more effective umpiring has been positive and in an effort to evaluate the possible advantages at HGW level we have purchased two sets to run a trial for the remainder of the season.

The Selection Committee have asked Steve Burton and Shaun Cullimore to run the trial on our behalf and they will be in possession of the sets by Saturday 8 December. It is hoped that Steve Court will be able to arrange that most if not all of you regularly umpiring for HGW (sorry West umpires) will have the opportunity to use them between now and the end of the season. However, should anyone be either unwilling or unable to participate in this trial could they please let Steve know so that he does not appoint you with either Steve or Shaun in the coming weeks.

Steve and Shaun have been asked to keep a record of all comments so when you umpire with them please let them know your thoughts, both positive and negative. Once we have their feedback at the end of the season we will consider the option of making a funding application to various organisations to purchase further sets.

I am aware that a small number (4 to my certain knowledge) of umpires have already purchased their own sets and should anyone else wish to do so they can be obtained from Charles Hallows who can be contacted at charles@hallows.org.uk. The cost per set (i.e. 2 units) is £120 plus postage whilst a single unit (which would enable you to use it with anyone else with a single unit as they are all compatible with each other) can be obtained at a cost of £65 plus postage. If you do decide to order please tell Charles that you are a member of HGWHUA.

David Lillywhite - Chairman

Posted: 03 December 2012

A list of appointments to fixtures from 8th December - 15th December are now available in the Appointments section.

Posted: 21 November 2012

The Red Card form for Welsh Players and the List of Discipline Reps have both been updated recently. To get your new copies, visit the Coaching & Discipline section.

Posted: 21 November 2012

A list of appointments to fixtures from 10th November - 1st December are now available in the Appointments section. An updated telephone list is also downloadable.

Posted: 03 November 2012

The HGWHUA is very pleased to announce and congratulate Terry Cook our own wizard of the Welsh borders and co-star of our new recruitment poster following his recent appointment as the new President of the West Hockey Association.

Over a number of years, Terry has built up a wealth of knowledge surrounding Hockey within the region and we wish him the best of luck with his new appointment.

Posted: 09 October 2012

Full members are reminded that they need to be insured to take appointments, this is provided by paying your membership subscription (£12), completing the form and posting it to Andy Allen your Hon Secretary. The Committee will review the Full members list over the coming days in order to ensure everyone has paid, if cheques are not received pdq the Committee may have to withdraw you from appointments as you will not have insurance cover. Additionally, no subscription means no rule book.

To view the latest Membership Lists, please visit the Membership section.

Posted: 27 September 2012

The 2012-2013 Regional Discipline Reps List can now be found in the Coaching & Discipline section.

Posted: 16 September 2012

We are starting to develop a better umpire/club/player communication process, first of which is this new poster that can be downloaded to be placed on a club noticeboard or added to a club website.

If you have any ideas that we could use please get in touch with any of our members or committee members.

Posted: 20 August 2012

A list of fixtures from September to December is now available in the Appointments section.

Posted: 17 August 2012

Details of the rule changes can be found in Coaching & Discipline section. These rules will come into play from 1st September 2012. A new rule book will be posted to all members once it is received.

Posted: 13 August 2012 | Revised: 17 August 2012