Six Australian umpires appointed to Oceania Development Program

The Oceania Hockey Federation has announced the appointment of 12 umpires to the inaugural Oceania Officials Development Program (OODP).

Aaron Gotting, Jayden Pearson, Tim Sheahan, Nicola Brown, Tamara Leonard and Iris Millham are the Australians selected for the program, which was established to promote and develop Umpires, Officials, and Umpire Managers in the Oceania region who have high potential to progress to the international stage and beyond.

The vision of the OODP is ‘To identify, develop and grow Oceania’s Hockey Umpires and Officials to be the best in the World.’

The umpires have been nominated by their respective National Associations and the OODP is designed to enhance the development pathways.

Hockey Australia Officiating Advisory Group (OAG) Chair Lyn Hill said members have been working with the OODP Sub Committee (which reports to Oceania) for over 12 months in putting together the wider OODP.  

“The Umpire Development Program is just the first of the programs to be launched,” said Hill.

“We are excited for our six umpires together with the six umpires from New Zealand now it is off the ground. The Umpire Development Program group met with the OODP sub-committee, chair by Jason McCracken, on Tuesday night and there was a lot of excitement within the group.

“It is important for all our officials to know that this is just the start of this Oceania, Hockey Australia, Hockey New Zealand initiative and more opportunities will become available as the program expands.

“The HA OAG will continue to work on finding opportunities for all our high performing officials in addition to those selected for this initial Umpire Development Program group.”

The program will be run over a two-year period in which the participants will be paired with an experienced mentor from the region.

The program will also bring participants together for professional development and Oceania umpire opportunities. A distinctive component of the program will also pair the participants of the OODP with umpires from the Pacific Islands National Federations to coach and develop umpiring across the Pacific.

“We are delighted to have the OODP underway in the region and this will be an important component of the development of umpire and officials across the region,” said Chairman of the Oceania Officials Committee, Alan Lints.

“It is a unique opportunity for the OODP participants to work with and learn from the depth of talent in international umpires we have enjoyed in Oceania for many years.”

The OODP participants from Hockey New Zealand are Brendan Johnstone, Anton Paulin, Ryan Potter, Mallory Barnett, Kelly-Anne Foskin and Kaitlyn Pennell.