FHumpires.com
The Commonwealth Games: Career Highlight
October 03 2010
When you umpire hockey as long as I have you dream of umpiring top level hockey; to be on the pitch for something really big and important to everyone involved. I have had the good fortune to umpire some fairly big games, at least for those playing in them.
When I started playing hockey I dreamed of someday representing my country in goal; there may have been a time when I was good enough to even make that come true. It became obvious to me fairly quickly that I wasn’t as good as the keepers playing for Canada at that time (the stalwart Hari Kant and the absolutely incredible Mike Mahood). Just as my playing career was winding down, my umpiring career was developing. I will be forever grateful to Ian Gibson and Alan Waterman for seeing something in me enough for them to promote me on the international stage.
When it comes to international competition the Olympic Games is the penultimate. Coming a very close second is the Commonwealth Games, and my appointment to the 19th games has been the highlight of my career. It was brought home during our briefing when we were told the FIH holds this event in high regard, and being present in the stands of the opening ceremonies had me close to tears at the realization of a dream 11 years in the making.
Despite being an active umpire for as long as I have I can’t help but feel a little in awe of the occasion and the people I am working with. I have had to fight the sensation that I am not as good as those around me, almost as though I am a rookie. It wasn’t until the Prince of Wales declared the games open that I felt a great self confidence well up, and I am looking forward to proving myself out on the pitch. There are so many great umpires here that I think we can deliver the best umpired games to date. The competition will be challenging with 7 of the 10 men’s teams participating in this past spring’s World Cup.
Despite the challenges off the pitch (we are forever hurrying up to wait; for transport, for uniforms and now for the opening matches of the men’s competition) the team is ready. Our superiors from the FIH have done wonders for us and we are all healthy and comfortable leading into the games. Top marks to Dennis Meredith of Australia for seeing to it that we have nothing to do but focus on the job at hand, and to all the umpire managers (Tony, Craig, Aileen and Sarah) for their tireless work.
Comments
- DeToro
05:14pm, 10/05/2010
Give em hell John, I know you can do it! DeToro!!
