A dozen eager, up-and-coming umpires from five countries hit the books in Toronto during the recent Pan Am Games - all part of the PAHF’s Aspiring International Umpires Course.
Instructor Alan Waterman, FIH Umpires Manager and longtime sports educator, challenged participants to analyze their own tournament and match preparation, both physically and psychologically. Hitting that last point home, via Skype, was renowned sports psychologist, Dr. Saul Miller, the go-to man for professional athletes in the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB as well as many Olympians.
Pan Am Games Umpires Managers, Steve Horgan (USA) and Chris Wilson (CAN) also stopped by to add insight into their umpire panel’s preparation for the Games.
The course wasn’t just contained to the classroom. With the Pan Am Games turfs just a few blocks away, participants had the chance to analyze the match management and communications skills of eight Games umpires. Added to that, the group picked the brain of neutral umpire Paco Vazquez (Spain), who graciously - and bravely - joined them in the stands.
The course ran from July 15th to the 17th.
Photo: l-r back row - Charlotte Hadwen (Canada), Alan Waterman (Instructor, Canada), Mario DeMello (Canada), Jeremy O’Connor (Canada), Baljit Randhawa (Canada), Jorge Ramirez Herodier (Guatemala), Vanessa Williamson (Canada), Reinier Diaz (Cuba)
l-r front row - Ridge Bair (USA), Diana Fuentes Castelo (Mexico), Mary Driscoll (USA), Alex Miles (Canada), Maggie Befort (USA), Rebecca Moreno (translator)
