Hockey SHIELD MATCH UMPIRES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29051, 13 November 1959, Page 6

Hockey SHIELD MATCH UMPIRES

Nomination System Discussed The views of the New Zealand Hockey Umpires’ Association on the best system of making nominations for umpires for the challenge shield matches, will be sought by the council of the Ne\v Zealand Hockey Association. Several members of the council supported the view that the present practice of associations nominating umpires which in turn were appointed by the council, was not the best one. ■‘Pretty disgraceful exhibitions” said Mr A. D. Holland, discussing crowd reaction to some umpires at the shield challenge matches this year. He felt there was something to be said for a system whereby the national umpires’ association made the nominations of graded umpires to the council. The present system where the challenging association and the association holding the shield nominated the umpires had led to crowd allegations of bias. “The council in the past has had little choice in the matter,” said Mr R. M. Good. “The umpires nominated by the two associations concerned have been automatically chosen.” He considered it might be time to make a change in a practice that had just grown and been allowed to continue, and he moved that the umpires’views on such a change be ascertained. The 28 players chosen for the Olympic Games squad will be informed that they will be required for the summer coaching schdol to be held over Raster next year at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, and at Queen’s Birthday week-end.