Future looks bright for young umpires

Spalding Hockey Club’s Young Umpire Development is going from strength to strength, producing new umpires that are now working at local, regional and even national levels.
At the recent Lincolnshire County Hockey Umpire Association (LCHUA) AGM, awards were announced for four up and coming young umpires from Spalding, who are all at different stages of their development.
Mia Dewing (17) was the recipient of the coveted Gibson Shipton Award for LCHUA Umpire of the Year.
Dewing has had an excellent season, achieving her national level umpiring award and as well as umpiring national junior finals and even a full international friendly between England and Scotland.
Tom Pilgrim (14) won the Philip Ingall Award for the LCHUA Young Performance Umpire of the Year.
Having achieved his Level 1 umpiring award this season, shortly after his 14th birthday (the youngest age you can gain the award) and having umpired both indoor, outdoor and East Region youth performance matches.
Meanwhile, Honor Pearson (15) and Sophie Gleave (15) shared the spoils with both being awarded the Kingfisher Award for LCHUA Young Development Umpire of the Year.
Both only started umpiring this year and have had successful seasons, earning their Level 1 umpiring awards and featuring at the Regional and National Mini-Hockey events.