Congratulations Kyle!

Kyle has been playing hockey for 7 years and has proven to be a very competent player, having been chosen to play in club championships for three years. 

He started playing when he first moved to Narrogin for Narrogin Hockey Club and then started playing for Rockingham Redbacks when he moved to Baldivis three seasons ago.  Kyle represented the Redbacks in the Bunbury Regional Carnival and played for Upper Great Southern in the Narrogin Carnival over 4 consecutive seasons, reaching  the grand finals in 2013 and 2014.

In his senior years at primary school he expressed an interest in umpiring junior hockey and attended umpiring clinics in Narrogin.  When he moved to the Rockingham Redbacks he started umpiring the Jnr 5/6 years for the 2013 season and Jnr 7/8 for the 2014 season.  In 2014 he was nominated to participate in the Elite Umpiring Program run by Hockey WA.  Kyle was ultimately successful in being chosen to participate in the program.  This program involved umpiring the J9/10’s A grade every Sunday morning and he was coached throughout the season by expert coaches and umpires.  At the end of the season Kyle won an award for the “Most Promising Male Umpire of 2014” and he was also presented with an Umpiring Award by the Rockingham Redbacks in recognition of this achievement. He very recently won the same award for 2015 making it two years in a row.

In August 2014 Kyle was selected to umpire in the Under 13’s National Championships in Adelaide in October.  To be chosen for this competition in your first season of umpiring for Hockey WA is a huge achievement and Kyle was the youngest umpire at the National Championships.  The experience he gained from this competition was invaluable.

In November 2014 Kyle was selected to umpire in the F-H-E Cup which is an U/16 international competition involving teams from Australia, Japan and Malaysia.  He received a very glowing report from his competition coach.

In 2015 Kyle was again selected to umpire in the Elite Squad and has continued to achieve success and compliments from hockey gurus such as Rick Charlesworth, (a well-known Australian hockey player and coach) for his umpiring skills.  Hockey WA are helping Kyle to grow in his confidence and ability by selecting him to step up and officiate in the Mens 1’s Competition.

Kyle was selected again to umpire in the U/13 Nationals during September 2015 in Darwin but has had to decline the offer due to academic commitments.

This year Kyle was nominated by his club to participate in trials for U/18 State Championships.

Kyle’s success as an umpire can be attributed to his knowledge of and passion for the game.  He is firm and consistent, very calm under pressure and very confident in his decision making.  He does not get intimidated by older, more experienced coaches.

He believes  in getting involved in the community and he also has a desire to coach a young team next year to be able to give something back and to help instil a great love for the game in up and coming young players.