Hockey umpire out in the cold

Press, 13 May 1987, Page 80

Hockey umpire out in the cold

By

KEVIN TUTTY

The absence of an Auckland hockey umpire, John Daniel, from the list to officiate at the Post Bank Champions tournament in Christchurch at Queen’s Birthday week-end, has been greeted with bewilderment by three people who will be affected by umpiring decisions at the tournament The Wellington captain, Peter Miskimmin, the Auckland captain, Jeff Archibald, and the Canterbury coach, Ewen Holstein, all rate Daniel In the top five in New Zealand, but he is not included on the list of five umpires for the tournament which starts at Porritt Park on May 28. Daniel is held in especially high regard by players and coaches around New Zealand for his consistent decisions and his feel for the game. His absence from the list has also upset the Auckland Hockey Umpires’ Association which discussed the matter at a meeting this week, but made no formal resolution on the matter until it has made further inquiries. The list of five umpires was released several weeks ago but Daniel heard second hand at the week-end that he was not included and contacted the New Zealand Hockey Umpires’ Association to confirm the fact. “I needed to obtain leave from work if I was included so that was why I rang the association,” said Daniel. “I am disappointed that I was not included on the list I did not seek any reason as to why I was not on it but I will be doing that at a more appropriate time. “If there is something I can do to improve my umpiring and earn a place in the top five I would like to know about it The decision hasn’t disillusioned me. If anything it makes me want to do better.” In the minds of players and coaches Daniel is already well qualified to officiate at the highest level in New Zealand. It is disturbing that an umpire who is so highly regarded by players and coaches in the difficult task of hockey umpiring is not being appointed to the most important tournament in New Zealand outside the national championship. Mr Holstein said last evening that both Canterbury and Auckland had asked that Daniel umpire their match at last year’s champions tournament which decided the tournament winner. “We were making no headway and then John injured himself so he could not be considered.” At the national tournament in Wellington later in the season Daniel again umpired well and was expected to officiate at least in one of . the Challenge Shield (top section) semi-finals but was again on the outer. The next day he umpired the final the India Plate (third section). Miskimmin and Archibald said they both included Daniel in the top five umpires in New Zealand. Miskimmin said: “He is one of the most consistent umpires I have seen in New Zealand in the last year.