Australian hockey quintet appointed to officiate at Paris 2024

In addition to the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras competing on the pitch, Australia will also have significant representation among the hockey officialdom at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Five of Australia’s finest hockey officials were announced by the FIH (International Hockey Federation) among the contingent appointed to officiate at the Olympic hockey tournament in Paris.

Josh Burt (Technical Delegate) (pictured above), Adam Webster (Technical Official), Tammy Standley (Technical Official), Aleisha Neumann (Umpire) and Steve Rogers (Umpire) were selected by the FIH Technical Officials and Umpiring Committees.

“On behalf of everyone involved in hockey in Australia, I congratulate these five individuals on their appointments to next year’s Olympic Games,” said Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles.

“Each are proven experts in their fields and their selections underline their standing among the world’s best.”

“Similarly to our athletes, all our officials dedicate a huge amount of time and energy into their chosen craft driven by a desire to be the best they can be.”

“Credit must also go to our Officiating Committee and those who have helped these five exceptional officials on their journey.”

Chair of the Hockey Australia Officiating Advisory Group, Lyn Hill said the appointments were reward for what the quintet has contributed to hockey in Australia and also internationally.

“To have five Australian officials recognised for the Olympics and the mere fact that Australia has the strength of this representation is exceptional,” said Hill.

“With Josh selected as one of two Technical Delegates, the lead Official of a FIH tournament, 2 additional Technical Officials in Tammy and Adam and Aleisha and Steve as Umpires, we are super proud of each of them and pleased to be so well represented on the world stage.”

“The last few years have been so tough with covid and how that affected any opportunity to officiate outside of Australia, so for them to hold that level of accomplishment in such difficult circumstances is a tribute not only to them but also people like Minka Woolley and our umpire coaches here who champion our officials and provide excellent support through the Hockey One League and Australian U21 Championships.”

“Steve Rogers umpired the Final of the Men’s World Cup earlier this year and Aleisha umpired a semi finals of the 2022 Women’s World Cup and was reserve for the Final.”

“Additionally, with Josh, Tammy and Adam being in their respective positions, our technical officials are getting more exposure to their expertise and I believe that is recognised in the fact that in the last 12 months we have had more upgrades and appointments of Australian officials than we have had in the past 8-10 years.”

Hill said these appointments would inspire the next generation and highlighted how Australia punches well above its weight in the officiating space.

“At the end of this year we have Zeke Newman and Jim Unkles going to the Men’s Junior World Cup, Kristy Robertson going to the Women’s Junior World Cup…Australian officials are making their mark,” said Hill.

“Young aspiring umpires will look at these appointments and think, ‘wow…one day I want to do that’. Aleisha is a good example. She used to look at people like Julie Ashton-Lucy, Lisa Roach and Minka Woolley and think I’d love to do that. It gives our and coming group something to strive towards.”