Love the game... become a Hockey Umpire!​​​​​​​

Umpiring and officiating hockey are rewarding ways to contribute to our game. If you are wanting to give it a go, please get in touch, we have umpire programmes placed carefully alongside our hockey leagues where there is a focus on development and learning. Don't hesitate to contact Rachel (gds@tgahockey.co.nz) if you have any questions! There are many roles you can support the game doing.

To umpire or officiate in 2025 and be paid your koha, you MUST be registered on PlayHQ. Don't miss out - register today!

Match Support & Technical Officials

As hockey continues to grow at local level, we are looking to provide more opportunities for people to be involved and support the game, on the sidelines, with dedicated attention this year, to the role of Match Support (formal title: Technical Official). 

Technical Officials are a vital piece of tournament hockey, in particular. They keep an official record of the match (often on Play HQ or Altius), support the umpires, and work with Team Managers to ensure the game is conducted within the protocols of the competition and with fair play and integrity. 

Some responsibilities for Match Support include timekeeping, scoring, record keeping and relationship building.

There is no prior hockey knowledge required for this important role, and you get one of the best seats in the house - right in the thick of the action - side line between the dugouts!

Umpires

Hockey umpiring is an incredibly rewarding part of the game of hockey. You have the best seat in the house as players showcase their skills, and you have an important role to play in helping create that hockey spectacle!

There are various levels to enter the game as an umpire. Our overall strategy is to see more umpires who are enjoying their experience, whilst developing. Umpiring at every level is an incredibly important part of the on-pitch experience for everyone. 

More in relation to umpiring opportunities can be found on the Officials information page (https://www.sporty.co.nz/tgahockey/officials/information).

Please fill in the below form above to register your interest - even if you don't know where to start we can fit in with you!


To find out where you might sit within our officials framework, please have a read of our programs below.


You can also check out the Introduction to Umpiring Course online: https://hockeynz.bracken.cloud/dashboard/course/1364

You will need to sign up as a Bracken user for our online course: https://hockeynz.brackenlearning.com/online-learning-portal


All Umpires

We hope all our umpires are up to the challenge of expanding umpiring knowledge.

Part of the learning process is peer support, self analysis, discussion and guidance where needed

The Officiating Manager, Rachel is keen to hear from you, how can we best support you in your officiating journey!

Please don't hesitate to get in touch gds@tgahockey.co.nz



Umpire Coaches

We are always looking for super supporters of umpires who can guide conversation with a focus on participant centred development, where the umpire is armed with the tools to learn and self-reflect.

If you are keen to support our officials, we would love to support you! We offer Umpire Coach upskilling opportunities, including cross-code connections, and look to continue to improve what support looks like.

Contact Rachel: gds@tgahockey.co.nz for more information, or fill in the form above and select umpire coach!  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

SmallSticks Support Umpire

Suitable for any entry level umpire, any age

Umpiring: MiniSticks, KiwiSticks (primary)

Every team registered in Primary School hockey must provide an umpire for these grades.

Perfect for parents, caregivers, siblings of players to get involved and help support a fun, fair, safe environment for our hockey starters and young developing players.

This role is mostly around safety, and facilitating a game, as opposed to needing to develop advanced umpire skills - if you can blow a whistle, and encourage young people to move 5m away from a ball, you can be a SmallSticks Support Umpire!

Pre-season there is a 'Coaches and Umpires Day' workshop to learn the basics of what you will need come game day.

We have resources and access to tips and video on the Tauranga Hockey website - Development/Umpires and Official Development pages.

Head along to our sessions in-season (delivered on demand) and prepare for the season with game philosophies and tips to get you started. 

Register below and indicate that you are going to be involved with MiniSticks Level (Yrs 3&4) or KiwiSticks (Yrs 5&6).

Orange Badge Umpire (6 aside)

Suitable for any entry level umpire, of any age 

Umpiring: KwikSticks (Intermediate)

Umpiring: Super 6s (Secondary)

Umpiring: Summer Hockey (all levels)

Umpiring: AIMS Games

​​​​​​A development programme for umpires who are taking to the field for 6 aside hockey.

Perfect for those who want to try umpiring hockey for the first time or who want to learn more about umpiring to improve their playing, or for those who want to give back to the sport.

​​​​​​​

The Orange Badge Umpire Programme provides the following:

  • Information around the Role and Responsibility of the umpire
  • Foundation skills of umpiring
  • Rules knowledge - 6 aside specifics
  • Umpire Coaches - who will support and oversee their progress - provide coaching and feedback
  • Tauranga Hockey Umpire Feedback Forms - to begin the process of self analysis, jot down feedback and to track progress over the season
  • Access to online resources including video

If you are interested please fill out the registration form on PlayHQ (link at the top of the page) and be sure to note your interest in "Orange Badge 6-aside Umpire Development Programme".

Blue Badge Umpire (11 aside)

Suitable for any entry level umpire, of any age - perfect for club or secondary players, a little hockey knowledge is helpful but not essential

Umpiring: Secondary Division 2 & 3

A development programme for umpires who are taking to the field for 11 aside hockey.

Perfect for those wanting to give umpiring a go for the first time - who already have some basic knowledge of the game from playing, coaching or spectating.

The Blue Badge Programme supports umpires of 11 aside hockey who are appointed to games in designated time slots - created in the Monday night Secondary School Division 2&3 Competition. 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Blue Badge Umpire Programme provides the following:

  • Pre-season and in-season workshops and information around the Role and Responsibility of the umpire
  • Foundation skills of umpiring
  • Rules knowledge
  • Umpire Coaches - who will support and oversee their progress - provide coaching and facilitating learning
  • A Tauranga Hockey Umpire Log Book - to begin the process of self analysis, drive own learning, track progress over the season
  • Access to online resources
  • ​​​​​​​Check out the Introduction to Umpiring Course online: https://hockeynz.bracken.cloud/dashboard/course/1364
  • You will need to sign up as a Bracken user for our online course: https://hockeynz.brackenlearning.com/online-learning-portal


If you are interested please fill out the below registration form (link at the top of the page) and be sure to select "Blue Badge 11-aside Umpire Development Programme".​​​​​​​

Club Umpires

Umpiring: Club & Secondary Premier League

Tauranga Hockey has an awesome team of dedicated officials who service our club competitions throughout the season.

For all our returning umpires please make sure you register with as much detail as possible so we can tailor upskilling opportunities to suit your needs this season.

We also look forward to welcoming more people into the umpiring team from our clubs - dont heistate to reach out to Rachel (gds@tgahockey.co.nz) so we can support your step into this space.