Award acknowledges Williams’ umpiring skill

OTAGO umpire Gareth Williams is steadily climbing the ranks and hopes to officiate at the highest level one day.

The 29yearold got to share the limelight with some of New Zealand hockey’s biggest names at the annual awards in Auckland late last week.

Black Sticks stars Stacey Michelsen and Blair Tarrant claimed the top honours.

Michelsen was named women’s player of the year. Tarrant, who hails from Dunedin, claimed the men’s player of the year award.

But Williams’ effort with the whistle was also acknowledged. He was named men’s most promising umpire.

‘‘It was a bit of a surprise but it is definitely a great achievement,’’ Williams said.

Williams, who is relocating to Christchurch this month, was born and bred in Dunedin.

He first picked up the whistle when he was 14 years old. He answered an SOS from a friend and fell in love with it.

‘‘I’ve slowly made my way up through the grades. I took a year off in 2011 and did some travelling overseas.

‘‘I came back from that and eased my way back in. In 2013, it really took off for me.

‘‘I did the national under18 final and got promoted to under21s. I’ve done a couple of under 21 finals now and I’m at the under21 tournament this week.

‘‘In the next couple of years I hope to break into the national league. I’ve just been promoted to the national senior tournament, so that is one below the national league.

‘‘But I do really want to break into the national league and, potentially, one day get put on international games. It is certainly a lofty goal.’’

Williams said New Zealand was well served by its top umpires and breaking into the top eight would be a big challenge. Seven of the top eight were international qualified umpires.

In other awards, Central midfielder Hayden Phillips won the men’s U21 player of the year. Midlands defender Frances Davies accepted the women’s U21 player of the year. The players’ player of the year went to Arun Panchia and Michelsen.

The evening was highlighted by the presentation to Ramesh Patel, who was voted in as a life member of Hockey New Zealand at last year’s annual meeting.

North Harbour’s Merv Huxford was honoured with the Pakistan Trophy to acknowledge his outstanding contribution to hockey.

Both Southern sides tasted defeat at the national U21 tournament in Hamilton yesterday. The men were well beaten 51 by Canterbury and the women lost 30 to Capital.