The Umpires 4 Europe (U4E) programme is the second tier of the 3 tiered umpiring strategy of the European Hockey Federation. It was launched in 2013 and proved to be a huge success, with 20 successful candidates. This year, we are happy to announce that the programme has been expanded to include 30 young umpires.
We therefore invite all National Associations to submit nominations for U4E 2014.
WHO SHOULD BE NOMINATED ?
We strongly recommend that you nominate those umpires who participated in 2013 for a second year, so they can derive the full benefit of the programme. But, even if all the 2013 umpires are nominated again, we still have spaces for 10 new applicants in 2014.
U4E is aimed at
Umpires nominated for the UDP but not selected,
Promising umpires from your country
Continuing professional development for appropriate UDP graduates
We hope to attract umpires from all over Europe, particularly from less developed countries, so that it may be a real “step on the ladder” for them, and so they may also share what they learn with others from their country.
We invite you to nominate up to three umpires to take part in this exciting programme. Priority in selection will be given to a) those returning to the U4E programme for their second year, and b) applicants from countries that do not currently have an umpire on the programme.
Membership Privileges will include
i) PRACTICAL WEEKEND: U4E will run a practical weekend each year for all umpires. In 2014, this will be held at Breda in The Netherlands and will run from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th August. The weekends will include presentations from respected umpires and UMs, and practical elements where umpires umpire a match or part of a match, and one-to-one coaching with mentors. Each umpire will also receive a personal video of their umpiring.
ii) WEBINARS: U4E will present two webinars per year to which members will be invited, delivered by high quality presenters – the first was led by Marcin Grochal of Poland and was a huge success. Webinars are a cutting edge on line service that EHF has developed, allowing umpires to attend and participate in a seminar from the comfort of their own home.
iii) MENTORING: Six mentoring co-ordinators will be appointed (overseeing five umpires each). Mentors will speak to each umpire about how they can best develop their skills and umpiring career and will provide a PDP template (Personal Development Plan) for each.
iv) EXCHANGE PROGRAMME: U4E will seek to organise exchange weekends enabling members to umpire in tournaments and League matches in other countries at the appropriate level. These are done in conjunction with each mentor and are therefore flexible with regard to dates.
v) TALENT SPOTTING: U4E will liaise with the EHF Appointments Committee and highlight promising umpires for EHF appointments.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Nominees must:
Be nominated by their National Association
Have a good level of English
Be between 18-35 years old
Be active National or International Umpire
Commit to the programme fully
Commit to sharing his/her knowledge gained with your national umpires.
Should you need further advice or information about U4E please contact Jane Brennan in the EHF office info@eurohockey.org.
If you’re an umpire and you’re interested in this programme, make sure to contact your NA!
Deadline for applications is 30th March 2014.