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- They’ll give a talk in clubrooms at 11.30 for 40 mins or so - Sorry that this won't suit everybody but we need to get as many as possible to this session.

- They’ll observe umpires during the Under 15 under 17 time slots and then the 3.15 Gulls V Aztecs Women's and Men's games. This gives an opportunity for up to 12 umpires to be observed.

Firstly, due to the condition of the grass field, when umpiring be extra aware of the need to umpire according to the conditions. Last week many players were slipping – partly due to inappropriate footwear but also due to the mud. The umpires spoke to the players and made modifications. We are limited to the one grass field due to the amount of cape weed on the field closest to the car park and the field alongside the turf field has deep ruts from the machinery used to adjust the lights. Speak to the teams at the start of each game, check their footwear and request they take extra care not to raise the ball. If a player falls be quick to stop play.

Secondly, Lachlan McLean, Andrew Marks, Ben Peters and myself were observed as we umpired round 13 games by Chris Henderson from Hockey Vic. She gave us feedback to help us to improve our positioning and also told us all which areas to work on to improve our umpiring skills.

We are part way to achieving our “Beginner Level” Of accreditation which is the second level of the new Hockey Ed program. It costs $50 to do this level. There is an on line task which you do – access this via Hockey Vic or Hockey Australia web sites###. When you have done the on line component, you need to do a practical assessment. Your club umpire convener can sign you off for the 1^st level.

I would encourage everyone to do at least the first level called “Community Level” which is free and is very helpful to understand all major hockey rules.

Robyn Pascoe and Chris Henderson umpire assessors from Hockey Vic are coming down again on the 14^th August for three matches and will observe and assess any WGHA umpires who would like to be assessed at “Beginner Level” in the practical area. Let your club convener or me know asap

Robyn and Chris will be at the clubrooms at 11.30 to talk to Umpires to bring them up to speed regarding Areas of Control and Positing and run through any concerns they may have regarding rules etc

JUNIOR AND SENIOR UMPIRES, WHETHER YOU WANT TO BE ASSESSED OR NOT COME AND HEAR THE ADVICE FROM THESE TWO EXPERIENCED UMPIRES. 11.30 SATURDAY 14TH AUGUST BELLBIRD PARK CLUBROOMS . I would like to fill the clubrooms with as many umpires as possible to take advantage of this talk with Chris and Robyn.

### For those who are doing the IT tasks through the Hockey Ed site, be aware that you will get end up with TWO user names and passwords. One is your registration username and password for Hockey Ed and then when you pay the $50 to do the Community level you will receive an email where the subject is "payment received" It will give you a second user name and password to use when accessing the on line training program to do the assessment itself.

UMPIRING UNDER 9’S

It was brought to my attention last week that there is some confusion about umpiring at under 9 with regard to the new self play free hit and the rules re hitting into the circle at other age groups.

The club umpire convenors discussed this and we decided to clarify the matter.

THE NEW RULES DO NOT APPLY AT UNDER 9 I.E. THE SELF PLAY FREE HIT IS NOT APPLIED AT UNDER 9 LEVEL AND THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO THE WAY THEY PLAY WHEN PASSING BALLS INTO THE CIRCLE.

It was also brought to our attention that some players who are playing under 11 are tending to hit the ball. it is important to be strict and penalise players who do this.

ONLY PUSHES ARE PERMITTED IN UNDER 9 GAMES.

ACCREDITATION OF UMPIRES:

Hockey Australia has launched new online training programs for umpires and coaches which replace the old courses.

Becoming accredited as an umpire:

Limited numbers may do so in July, then there’ll be a wait till the next opportunity. Read on …

Why do it? As a challenge, to prove you can and, if you umpire in Melb, you can get paid. Some students do this instead of other jobs to earn an income.

The first level is “Community” and is very straight forward. After you register it takes you through a series of small video clips and explanations of the rules and then there are 15 multiple choice questions to do. Be sure to hit “submit” before you log out. You then need to do a practical assessment. Let your club convener or me (56 268214 or 0418 268213) know if you are interested. Do this as soon as possible and we may be able to have you assessed on July 31^st.

To do the next level “Beginner” there is a $50 cost – your club or the association may reimburse you so don’t let the cost stop you from going to the next stage. Again there is an on-line component and then a practical assessment. If you are interested pay on line, do the on line component and let your club convener or myself (56 268214 or 0418 268213) know a.s.a.p. if you wish to be included in the July 31^st assessment.

The following section of WGHA 2010 By-Law number 15 relates to safety of Under 11 and Under 13 goalkeepers:

“It is compulsory for goalkeepers in all Junior matches (apart from Under 9) to wear, as a minimum, the following equipment: chest protector, hand protectors, leg guards, and kickers. Additional protective equipment for arms and thighs is also recommended …

(b) Any dangerous ball in the circle shall be penalised in Under 13 grades and below (the intent is that the goalkeeper is not ‘fair game’).”

At the WGHA Rules Information Session on 20^th April, there was discussion about what would constitute a dangerous ball against an U11/U13 goalkeeper. It was agreed that WGHA umpires would not penalise a ball that struck or passed close by a goalkeeper if BELOW the height of the goalie’s leg guards. A ball higher than this which either struck the goalie or narrowly missed the goalie would be considered dangerous.

Please ensure that all umpires from your club that are likely to umpire U11 or U 13 matches are aware of this agreed interpretation in order to ensure that the By-Law is umpired consistently.