Duncan savouring state’s ump community
WHILE all the focus has centred around the return of hockey players to the Premier League, Sarah Duncan is leading a new wave of hockey officials making their mark in Tasmanian hockey.
Duncan, a second year Arts-Law student, umpired North-West Graduates’ 2-0 defeat of Canterbury women impressively on Saturday, after moving to Tasmania in 2019.
“A big influence in moving from Melbourne to come to UTas was actually umpiring the U13 National Championships held in Hobart in 2018. I loved the small-town vibe,” Duncan revealed.
“Victoria’s statewide hockey is a fast competition, but the Premier League is more consistently good, and the teams really gel well together.”
“The main thing that has encouraged me to continue hockey umpiring is the community that is involved in officiating down here. We all stick up for and support each other.”
Duncan, 20, plays second grade for Canterbury and umpires three times a week across many grades.
“Once I started umpiring state and national tournaments, I got to see the way that umpires really are the third team on the hockey pitch.”
“When players come off the pitch feeling really good about a game, we’ve often had a large part to do with that by allowing the game to flow and letting players show off their skills.”
“I think sometimes players feel like we’re working against them, but really we’re on the pitch to help the players play their best game. Often watching a player score a great advantage goal is just as rewarding for us, as it is for the player’s team.”
Tasmanian hockey has a well-credentialed high performance pathway for umpires and Duncan feels she has a lot of support to assist her to reach her umpiring potential.
“The ultimate goal would be to umpire internationally, but more realistically I’d love to make it to Hockey One level with hard work.”
Premier League umpire’s manager Angela May thinks it is fantastic to have young people, such as Harry Winch and Vincent Harman in men’s and Molly McCausland, Chloe Abel and Ella Berresford in women’s hockey, dedicated to their umpiring. “If (Sarah) continues to improve, she can progress to Hockey Australia championships when they return in 2021,” May said.