Sat 5 Jul, 2008
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WWC: Umpires failing the test  x34
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| 10th Women’s World Cup |
December 2, 2002 
The Telegraph
> Page Views 5200
By Claire Middleton in Perth, Australia
Some umpires here at the World Cup are getting 50 per cent of their decisions wrong, according to a former Olympic official who has pioneered video and computer software for sports analysis.
Don Prior, the Australian who umpired two Olympic finals, including Great Britain's victory in 1988, said several of those whistling at the Perth Hockey Stadium should be kicked out of the system and added that England, with four howlers, had encountered the worst abuses.
"Two decisions against Holland were incorrect and cost them two goals," said Prior. "That not only changed the game, it changed the whole tournament and if I were the England coach I would have been up in arms."
He added that Ireland should not have been awarded a penalty stroke during England's first match and that Leisa King's deflection late in the game against Australia should have counted. So, not only have England lost points, but their goal difference column has suffered too.
"The best umpires here have an error rate of 10 per cent, which is very good, but some have an error rate of 50 per cent and that is poor," said Prior. "Frankly, I wonder how they got to be here and the system should ensure that they are weeded out."
Prior is working with the International Hockey Federation on the feasibility of using his technology to set up a third umpire system.
England, however, were the architects of their own misery during yesterday's 1-1 draw with Japan, which has put their hopes of a top-six finish in the balance.
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Comments on this article
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Renya
12-02-2002 10:50 am
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So a question then - will there be any accountability to these umpires? Will they take this feedback to improve themselves? There should be some steps taken to make the umpires more professional. Agreed, in the heat of it, sure sometimes mistakes come up, but it seems as if England are taking the brunt of the umpire errors. It would be good to see the feedback in this article relayed to the umpires for their own improvement, thing is you never know if they will accept the feedback, or take it out on England and the other teams even more!
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Ged
12-02-2002 1:12 pm
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It is a pity that there are so many umpires at the WC getting so many decisions wrong. What I am sure about is that when England are playing they must also be another team on the pitch therefore is it not reasonable to assume that these umpires are also going to be getting decisions wrong 'against' that team, or is everything going to be a CIA plot against the English?!!! "Take it out on England and the other teams even more", try to take a sharp intake of reality when next you breath, England supporters need to understand that the HA and like no longer exist, the world is NOT against England, it is just when England fail at something a scapegoat must be found. I am sure however that the media can relate 1966 to hockey somehow!!
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CharlieO
12-02-2002 2:27 pm
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Don Prior
Don's Sportscode system is the state of the art and is utilised by many of the International Teams in both the womens and the mens games. If they do not use sportscode then they use a similar system. The fact that the teams find it invaluable must mean that it must be of use to the umpires as well. We are all accountable (players, coaches, umpires) so let's all make the most of technology to make our game a better one to play and watch.
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Ben Curtis
12-03-2002 6:34 am
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World Cup Umpires
It doesnt take computer software to tell that some of the umpires at the world cup were not up to standard.
It is good to know there is technology that can quantify our observations.
However, I hope it isnt over used allowing statistics to overshadow some of those common sense intuitive decisions that probably cant be assessed by technology!
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adam
12-03-2002 6:52 am
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umpire quality
The TD and umpires manager continually access umpires throughout tournaments and if they have a high error % then it will be dealt with.
However it should be noted that the report and commentary does not come from an official view but a comment from some one watching with help of certain TV angles. MAybe the umpire has a better view.
An
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Stick
12-03-2002 7:12 am
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Shonky Decisions
Admirable sentiments Charlie O. I think you're right on the money.
Renya. It's true, England have been unfortunate with some of the decisions. They were often unlecuky in the AUS-ENG game I saw. But then Austrlia had a disproportionate amount of "bad luck" in their game against Holland. Julie Towers gets knocked off her feet by a beaten Dutch player INSIDE THE D whereupon the ball is played out by another Dutch defender - how can it be anything BUT a penalty stroke?
It's a real pity because there's some top-class playing going on in Perth. What a shame we can't say the same about the umpiring. What happened to the video system they were trialing? The game is so fast now - it's needed, I think, to help the umpires lift THEIR game.
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Joe90
12-03-2002 8:15 am
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What we already knew !
What a good analysis giving facts to back up what most spectators know from the stands. i dont think the guy is trying to insinuate any sort of bias just that wrong decisions can mount up on a particurlar team.
Umpires with an unacceptable error rate should be not given any matches and sent home. If they are not good enough or suffering from loss of form then they should be accountable.
Problem is that most Technical officials have come out of the umpiring fraternity themselves and are never keen to take a strong stance on such incompetence.
i don't understand the sympathy shown myself, as how many times have we seen mistakes impact on the outcome of matches or tournament results
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JPS
12-03-2002 8:23 am
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Umpires
I understand the need to create a better system for reducing the number of errors umpires make, but I am not convinced that a sophisticated video feedback system is the answer. The reasons for this are that it simply cannot be applied to the sport at all levels and the problem of poor umpiring is something that exists at all levels of the sport. I do not see why hockey doesn't take a page from soccer and rugby and have 3 umpires (1 main and 2 line umpires) officiating a game. When it comes to awarding a goal the main umpire should be required to visually (and verbally if necessary) check with the other umpires before rushing and blowing the goal to assure that their was no infringement directly beforehand. This system will probably also reduce the number of errors made in field play instances. It is very frustrating to have a wrong decision go against you anywhere on the field and although those decisions that directly involve a goal may stand out, all decisions no matter where on the field or at what point in the match influence the flow and perhaps ultimately the outcome of the match. It doesn't cost as much and can be applied at any venue regardless of the availablilty of video camera facilities.
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Umpire
12-03-2002 10:38 am
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Electronic Umpire
Let's ban all umpires from competitive Hockey and use a video umpires high above with a buzzer and a directional arrow or a big
screen. Can't argue with a machine who's hindsight is 20/20 and can see the world from all angles.... Look...... use the video as a tool to help not point out faults, in the end you are just trading one set of headaches for another.
No matter the level... it it clear that Players,coaches, and officials all make mistakes because of the nature of the sport. That's what makes sport interesting. I have been involved in all areas of the sport and depending on where you are everything looks different. How would you feel as a player, coach.. being scrutinized for every decision you ever make in a competition. It's good for the game, isn't it?
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Prabhjyot Singh Madan
12-03-2002 11:01 am
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Please introduce 3rd unpires !!!
This proves right that some of the umpires do not deserve to be in the position which they are holding and the trial of the 3rd umpires prove it.It is better late than ever....let us have 3rd umpire
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Wolfman
12-03-2002 11:52 am
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I like some of what JPS has said. It is very easy to burn umpires on the stake. Up in the stands, with 10 cameras giving different angles at different speeds we have the advantage of never being wrong. Umpiring is probably one of the more thankless jobs that exist.
I'm not suggesting that bad umpires be left unchecked, but how many times do we all go up in arms about a bad decision, but forget the 2 clear cut chances wasted or that bad defensive error that allowed a goal?
I always think that we should strive for better. Better from players and better from the officials, but there is a way to go about doing it. Frankly, television replays aren't the solution for deciding for sure how good an umpire does. Besides the different angles and speeds available it is not infallible. How often in American football or cricket have we seen the replays come up as inconclusive? This is where I like what JPS said. Get that third official in there or if we are going to stick with the 2 encourage the umpires to at least make a quick visual check with the other umpire if there looks like there is any doubt on a play.
Mistakes happen in games. Often they change the game in some form or fashion and when our team loses it is obviously disappointing. I think in our quest for constant winning we've forgotten that everyday people live with a variety of disappointments, some very tragic, so losing a hockey game should be kept in perspective. Even though we want good umpiring and have a right to expect it I think we should also appreciate how difficult a job it is. We don't need an Aussie with cameras to help us point out who's making more mistakes or to put umpiring under the scope.
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Charlie O
12-03-2002 1:45 pm
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Sportscode
Somehow I think some of you are missing the point of Don's sportscode. In fact you probably have no idea how versatile it is. Far from "bagging" the umpires I am sure that Don sees it as a learning tool, afterall that is why the coaches and players use it. "Umpire" makes a comment about scrutinizing every thing done on the field. Well that is what we as coaches do and then discuss them with the players. We ALL make mistakes and must learn from them for the better of the game.
In reality I am sure that the the feed used by Don is his own video camera and not the TV coverage. TV coverage is very frustrating since all you get is the player with the ball on the screen so you are unable to see the game developing. I hope the feed that is being used is more like the feed teams will take. This will help see evrything from the umpires positioning to the players movements.
As for 3 umpires with the one in the middle having control ! Think again.......how fast can the ball be moved from one end to the other in hockey ? I am sure the umpires would like fitness programs to match those of 100m sprinters !!
Keep at it Don.
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JPS
12-03-2002 3:06 pm
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3rd umpire
I don't agree with Charlie O's last comment on fitness being a problem. If line umpires were utilized effectively the main umpire would only have to run between the 25 yard lines or perhaps a little more (a length of roughly 50 metres). Considering they have to run anywhere from the back line to as far as the opposite 25 yard line as it now, I do see how the amount of running or fitness required will become any different.
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fly on the wall
12-03-2002 7:11 pm
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women umpires
Sounds a bit like the Sydney Olympics where the standard of women's umpiring was appalling.
How about we do away with this silly rule of only women umpiring women's hockey ?
How about the best men and women umpires be on an FIH panel, and the best do the big tournaments ?
If that means very few women umpires at the highest level then so be it.
The best thing women umpires could do for their development would be to umpire some top level men's games - they might get fit for a start and learn to make decisions much quicker.
There were 6 women umpires at Sydney 2000 who wouldn't get a guernsey in junior hockey ... I won't mention names so as to spare the incompetent.
As for the femocracy, you have to answer the question: Do you want the best women umpires in control of women's hockey ?
Or do you want the best umpires, regardless of gender ?
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Wolfman
12-03-2002 7:42 pm
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Charlie O, is that how you would use the 3rd umpire? As a referee in football controlling the middle? If the 3rd umpire is used as you say, but instead of being used as the one making the calls they call the game as they see a foul, similar to the original 2 who are still there, what does it matter how fast the ball moves from one end of the field to the other? If the ball is moved suddenly from one end of the pitch to the other there is always an umpire at that end of the field... unless I've read it wrong isn't the 3rd umpire an extra set of eyes and not a controlling ump.? I think there will be problems in introducing a 3rd umpire, at least initially, but I don't think the speed of the ball moving from one end of the field to the other is that.
How else can one introduce a 3rd umpire? Can a 3rd umpire really help? Is the current system acceptable even if the best umpires are still prone to 10% error? Is there such a thing as acceptable error? Is there a system in place now where umpires can go over there games and see their errors? Is this going to help them improve? Who has the answers? *chuckle*
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Mace
12-04-2002 1:36 am
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Umpire Training
Everyone makes errors, umpires and players alike, and in the course of a game a umpire is unlikely to make more errors than your average player. My concern is what are the umpires doing to improve. I have been in the fortunate position to play in major competitions such as the Olympics, to get to a tournamenyt such as that requires a lot of time and training, working over a long period to get stronger and fitter, assessing performance via video and coach feedback in order to become good enough to be selected. My question is, what time/training does an umpire go through to get to this level? If it is proportional to the time that an athlete must put in to get good enough to compete then fine, if not then questions should be raised!
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Munster Umpire
12-04-2002 5:04 am
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A question that has to be considered, is how do umpires selected for international duty prepare themselves at a local national level in the lead up to such international tournaments?
To have only the best people umpiring, how do national associations and the FIH propose to help those selected umpires to become more proficient when it counts?
It is unacceptable for umpires to be given international appointments knowing that they could very well be at the mercy of this technology.
Therefore as a coaching aid it would be perfect, as an assessment of performance on the world stage it is unfair and totally prejudice against Grade 1 and World Panel umpires.
My answer would be that the technology be made available to all 112 associations (subsidised by the FIH) so that the local association can use it at ideally all but perhaps due to a cost factor, at only selected national
tournaments and competitions.
A spin off of this technology, may be that the current accepted coaching methods with regards to umpiring are outdated and an overhaul of umpiring coaching methods is required. This would be beneficial to players, umpires and spectators alike.
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Jools
12-04-2002 8:12 am
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What a surprise...
Hi all...I am very concerned with this article.
for several reasons and I have to ask questions:
First of all, should't umpires be tested or evaluated at regular times in a season?
secondly, is there not a way to sanction those umpires through a commission?
thirdly, if a third umpire has to be brought ino the game...what's the use of having two umpires supposed to work together???
fourthly, aren't you all worried of the impact on lesser levels???
fifthly, the fact that we keep changing rules, and the fact that interpretation, most of the time, leaves to desire, don't you think it is high time we stop trying things???
As an umpire, at a modest level, I do know when I am good or bad. And every umpire should be able to evaluate its capacities in a game.
I also regret that so many umpires, especially here in France, where I play, or in England, where I have played, are so irresponsible!!! Arriving 5 minutes before the game, even 5 minutes after the game, without a whistle or cards, not even checking the nets or the shinpads that everybody must have!!! and the reason I was told? "it's not the world cup"...too true, but here we are!!! Umpires are being criticised for their poor performance, and rightly so!!! But what do people think unconsciously? "well if international umpires can make mistakes, why couldn't we?" and here is the terrible result, nobody cares for the rules, umpires are disrespected!!!
how many umpires should there be? 2? 3? please open your eyes, there are already 24 umpires on the pitch!!!! It is impossible, nowadays, to be respected in certain games just because people think they can do or say what ever they want!!!
We need tougher rules on both umpires and players who disrespect this game!!!! A player who makes fouls has to be punished, the same should be applied for umpires.
I have lost games because of umpires!!!
I have won games because of umpires!!!
In both cases I shouldn't be satisfied, and never was I!
Rules are made to be obeyed to. Rules are defined to be interpreted in a certain way and changes are new rules bringing new interpretation. it take time to understand a rule. Therefore, if people from the Boards find it necessary to invest in costly equipment when these sums could be used to train and evaluate umpires regularly, so be it!!! But they can be sure that a third umpire is certainly undermining the power and authority of the two officials on the pitch.
Jools :p
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Marina
12-04-2002 9:29 am
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JUSTE LET THEM PLAY
On friday Argentine Lions will have crushed kangaroos for lunch , I hope all these lame umpires wont make any attempt to save the kangaroos .
Just let them play !
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Charlie O
12-04-2002 2:03 pm
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Hooray !!
A quick note to JPS .....make sure you read what people say before making comments. I didn't raise the issue of the third umpire. In fact my comment agreed that it seemed futile !!!
Hooray, finally Mace has said it.....What do umpires do between games/tournaments to be as prepared as the players ? Bring on the training and learning. Remember we all need to "prepare to play well". This includes umpires. Make the most of Don Priors technology and take the good things out of it. Don't think that he is out for you.
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Brian of England
12-04-2002 4:19 pm
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Umpire selection
Unfortunately the career of some of these 'top' umpires is started on a political whim. The incompetent is then awarded his/her international badge because of some small degree of ability and a lot of nepotism. I have seen top grade umpires in my England fall by the wayside due to the politics of the day and substandard umpires are pushed along the FIH path till they appear at the Commonwealth or some other games and rob a team of a medal. I was fortunate to attend the 1998 Commonwealth games to see umpires award short corners when a ball was lifted into defending players heads where goals were awarded when no even touched the ball in the D and where the Canadian mens team were the victim of home town umpiring with unpleasant consequeces. The answer is clear to me. Systematically weed out the incompetent ones and leave a core of men and women umpires who will do either men or women games.
The FIH must also visit some developing countries like Trinidad and Barbados where there are some very good umpires but who will not get pushed because of the politics. Having visited those islands last year I saw at least six umpires who were certainly as good as anything I have seen in 40 years of hockey and this did not include Mr. St. Rose (now retired). Donny Gobinsingh and Garth Baptiste I have seen at the Banks festival where they outshone some of their FIH counterparts. I think Donny Gobinsingh now has his Indoor badge. But the message is simply look elsewhere and weed!
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saw
12-05-2002 7:55 am
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fitness test
Whether men or women and all ages, a fitness test should be developed for international umpires. The FIH should not accept lower standards because an umpire gets older. Can you imagine keeping a player on a hockey team if they could not dribble or hit the ball because they were older than the other players? If umpires are not physically fit, they should be sent home from the tournament (this has previously happened, but not enough times) and removed from the active list until able to provide medical evidence of fitness for todays game of hockey. I agree there is politics involved in appointments to international tournament -- some from the umpires own countries and/or continental organizations. The pecking order is still alive but it continues to be a detriment to our young and deserving umpires. Is there too much power in too few hands for the selection process?
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Umpire
12-05-2002 10:45 am
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The Next Point
Hmmmm... the developer of the Video system points out all of the glaring mistakes... He can help ! ... You don't go public with these type of comments unless there will be some future benefit ? How do you think either of the umpires in those games mentioned feel ?... Why don't you print their names and I am sure they won't want to come back.. there... problem solved! I would like to know ALL of the errors made by each player of each team that may have cost themselves a goal. It only fair that everyone shares the burden of responsibility. People make mistakes and if you think that closely watching over an umpire's shoulder with a Video camera ready to pounce on each decision will help... you are living in a dreamworld.
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Steve S
12-05-2002 10:54 am
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Umpiring at the WWC and in general.
In general a good discussion...
I was amused at the first couple of points - I thought it was only the "Asian" teams (but surprisingly never Korea) that suffered from biased "European" umpires.
About the 3rd umpire - How can a sport where there are "incompetent" umpires be helped by a 3rd (possibly equally) incompetent umpire. Also, most of the proposals involve a pattern of movement on the field similar to soccer's with two linesmen and one central official who makes most of the desisions. In hockey most of the "difficult" desisions are in the circle, and especially around the goal-mouth. In soccer none of the officials would be in a position to see these situations well. In soccer the linesmen actually have to STAY on the sideline! A stupid position to see inside a hockey circle. If there were to be 3 officials in hockey (which I would be against!) in would have to be done in a manner similar to basketball or women's lacrosse where the officials "rotate" around in a predictably way as the ball moves up and down the field.
I would disagree with men umpiring women's international hockey - because it is SO slow! (But really, it is fair for good womens umpires to get the games). I have no problem with women umpiring men's games.
The problem comes down to proper training of umpires, which is done by each national association. Most of this training just continues the poor practices that got "incompetant" umpires to FIH level in the first place. Hockey is a faster and more skillful game than it was in the 70's, and the umpies have to be up to it.
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B.E
12-06-2002 7:04 pm
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Australia-Argentina Match
Just a few words about the umpiring. It was really a horrible, incompetent and specially an indecent match of Garnett, the umpire of New Zealand. It was very obviuos what you were doing there!
On the other hand, I have to congratulate the Dutch umpire, I think was Coheen.
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John Dusten
12-22-2002 7:49 pm
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Tough Job for tough people
I have never seen a WC game so therefore I cannot comment on the officials. However if it was this obvious that the umpiring was that bad I agree that the officials doing that bad a job should have been pulled from any more competition.
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joots007
12-23-2002 6:31 am
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Remember the umpires make the game. We need them.
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Ms V
12-23-2002 6:06 pm
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Exactly Jools! I guess one of the biggest problems about the standard of umpires at the WC is the fact that each country has different levels of umpires that are not congruent with their players. ie A country might have a No1 team, but their umpires are not up to scratch. NOT GOOD!
So why does the game continue to leave behind the umpires in the development of the players. If you have national camps for players, should you not also have umpires included? Should they not benefit from the nutritional, phsycological, phyisialogical etc info that the players have access to. Stop treating them like an ancillary to the game! They are part of the game. And yes, I'll tell you what, some of our aussie players have a pitiful understanding of the rules/interpretation and many have never, or avoid pickig up a whistle. Disguisting!
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UmpB
01-07-2003 7:53 pm
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I am offended by Don"s comments taking into account his new role with the FIH. Umpires will clearly not feel comfortable if and when he is the UM. Show some diplomacy!
The correct conditions must be put in place if we are going to improve the standard of umpiring. Lets be honest, selection is base on favouritism first ability second. European administrators think that their approach is written in stone, there is no flexibility. Each umpire has his or her own style, they read the game differently. UMs and TDs need not impose their styles on the umpires. but help the umpires improve their technical ability. Having been there there is too much pressure on the umpire and no one is enjoying the game anymore. Electronic umpires will not solve the problem. Take a good look at cricket.
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Ms V
01-07-2003 10:24 pm
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To B.E...
Seriously... tell me you are not suggesting that ANY umpire would use their position to help one team win? Come on B.E. correct me if I interpreted your comments incorrectly, however if that's what you eluded to, then you are showing a great deal of naivety. I can (and many others can too) guarentee you that they are out their doing their best. I have mentioned this slander on top umpires to some of those upmires themselves, and they could not believe that someone would think they would lower their standards and 'cheat'. It is not something they had EVER considered doing. It aint club hockey - and it doesn't happen.
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Yoda
01-22-2003 2:27 am
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Well UmpB, firstly I think you need to be sure that Don actually made those comments that were written. I happen to know that some of them he didnt !!
In addition to umpires not feeling comfortable... that is subjective.
FIH have put Don and a select few others in place for a reason. There is something happening in the world of umpiring its called CHANGE. Some of those umpires have the ability to adapt to change & some do not, players have to be like this with a new coach as well.
There were a couple of umpires that got cut from the world cup panel as they were not up to standard and were not prepared to listen to the changes the umpires coaches were suggesting.
In addition the response back from the women umpires at the world cup was that the technology was a fantastic move foward & they benifited from it greatly. This was not the 1st tournament that it was used at, it was also used at the CT in Macau, where the Upmires feedback was also very positive.
The FIH board were very please with the improvement in the Womens Umpires at the WC but more importantly the coaches of the teams participating also made comment on a regular basis that the improvement was very noticable.
Take a look at Cricket, well in fact FIH and Don have actually met with Cricket and have discussed the objectives that Cricket are trying to achieve. Maybe we need to understand what objectives Hockey are trying to achieve aswell.
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Luke
02-13-2003 7:56 am
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I am personally an umpire as all players are told that the umpires decision is final, yes i agree and umpires give what they feel is right the standard of umpires will differ from country to country and even county to county but theres getting the decisions wrong and ok goals are given or cancelled out but there again the umpires are there to control the game aswell, surely they should be praised aswel?
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kat
07-30-2003 8:01 pm
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I play in a country assosiation in Oz. Most of our umpires are players too. so if the first time they play, the umpire gets it wrong, they learn it wrong. Also, most refuse to admit they have made the wrong decision. The most netorious ones in our assosiation are the umpires called "Penguine", Jarrod, Gale, and they're just a few. they refuse to admit their short commings and did not attend the umpiring clinic at the begining of the season. it is a personal choice. The same people abuse bad umpiring decisions from our up and comming umps. my club is now the only team which post new umpires. umpires refuse to umpire. i can see from only the players point of view, but at that level, all should take clinics. it should be compulsory.
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aspiring umpire
08-03-2005 11:04 pm
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umpiring
well excuse me . i watch the 2002 world cup and i thought the best umpire was jane knockolds from england (besides julie ahston lucy from aus)
dont be cruel to these umpires. they are doing as best as they can, we are all not perfect!!! remember, umpires are not robots with a whistles, they are human beings with feelings, and they do make mistakes!!!
good work jane and julie.
and might i mention that michelle arnold umpired so well there too. if it was my pick for the final. it would be michelle and jane, and julie for reserve!!!
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