A day in a life: umpires

While mostly everyone’s focus during the Hockey World League here in Antwerp has been turned to the team and players as they strive for a ticket to Rio, we cannot forget about the third team on the pitch during these games: the umpires. During these matches there is a total of four umpires per game: two on the pitch, one video umpire, and one reserve umpire. Each pitch umpire works one game per day to make sure that they are fresh and focused for every game that they work; this includes the reserve umpire. Video umpires, however, work two games a day although never back-to-back games. When pitch umpires are not overseeing a match they tend to refresh and relax at their hotel. Video umpires can usually be found in the A4 stands catching the matches they are not working.

Still Blue...

However, some thought that the experience had not actually been successful, the IHF and the Organising Committee of the Rio Olympic Games have confirmed that they have opted for a blue field as a hockey play surface for 2016. Moreover, this will be exactly the same coating that was used during the 2012 Olympics in London. This will be installed in the Olympic Hockey Centre, based in Deodoro, in northern Rio de Janeiro. Three years ago, the transition to a blue field was a first. It provided a high level of contrast, with the yellow ball and white lines, for players, umpires, spectators, photographers, and television channels.

Many sports have their beach version, which gave the Dutchman Floris Jan Bovelander, former Dutch field hockey player, an idea. After volleyball, basketball, badminton, tennis, ... hockey now has it's own beach version. To create a spectacular beach version the ball was made bigger and lighter.

The FIH confirmed the match schedule for the Men’s matches on Friday 3 July as follows.

5-8 place play-offs:
13:00 Ireland v Pakistan
15:30 Malaysia v France

Semi-final matches:
18:30 Belgium v India
21:00 Australia v Great Britain

The modern history of hockey began in England with the founding of Blackheath, the world’s first club, in 1851. However, it was the British army that really allowed the sport to develop within numerous colonies (India, Pakistan, Australia, etc.) and offer it a world scope.

Belgium Through the Fans’ Eyes

People from all cultures gather in Brasschaat to celebrate hockey and support their favorite players. Some of them live a couple hours from here but others have to travel far to get to Belgium. Australian fans and parents of Hockeyroos player Anna Flanagan flew 22 hours to cheer on their daughter. New Zealand fans took a 24-hour plane ride to see the Black Sticks in action.