| 17th August 2010 |
| AGM NOTICE |
| NOTICE
Annual General Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the annual general meeting of the National Programme Umpiring Association will be held on Saturday, 4th September 2010 at 5.15pm at Loughborough University, Epinal Way, Leicestershire, LE11 3TZ.
Agenda Items
If any member wishes to include items on the agenda for the 2010 AGM, these must be sent, by email, to the Chair by midnight on Tuesday 31st August 2010 at david.dowdall@yahoo.co.uk
No items of business will be accepted from the floor.
Papers in support of the AGM will be distributed to members by email in advance of the meeting. |
| 12th August 2010 |
| NPUA Conference 2010 - 1 week for registration |
| Thank you to all those members who have registered to attend Conference 2010 - the closing date for all registrations is FRIDAY 13 AUGUST. There is only one week left to register - so don't miss out!
For more information about this year's exciting conference programme see Whistle Talk in the 'Conference' section of the website.
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| 11th August 2010 |
| Automatic emails from NPUA |
| As some members may be aware, an additional message was generated by the website requesting member's availability even if they had already submitted their availability. Apologies for any inconvenience this has caused and please use it as a useful reminder to regularly check your personal page. |
| Thank you! |
| A message from Bill Felton, MO:
”Having last season completed 550 games as a Match Official at NHL and Cup games I would like to thank all the many umpires I have been involved with in their contribution to the games together with their friendship and professional involvement. I was asked by Ken Lochhead to be a Match Official about one month after the commencment of the National League in 1988 and have been on the Panal ever since. To all I say very many thanks.” |
| NPUA AGM 2010 |
| The NPUA AGM will be held on Saturday 4 September 2010 at Loughborough University. All members are invited and entitled to attend the AGM, even if they are not attending Conference 2010.
Any AOB items should be sent to Richard Wood by Saturday 21 August 2010. |
| 31st July 2010 |
| Conference 2010 Registration closes - 13 August 2010 |
| Thank you to all those members who have registered to attend Conference 2010 - the closing date for all registrations is FRIDAY 13 AUGUST.
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| 30th July 2010 |
| EHL Handbook |
| The EHL handbook will NOT be produced for the coming season as clubs decided to reduce their entry costs and save money. EHB will, however, be issuing it as a pdf by email. All the details regarding club venues and contact details for colleagues are available on the website as usual so please make sure you check the details before your appointment. |
| 26th July 2010 |
| EHUSP meeting minutes and panel changes |
| The minutes from the most recent EHUSP meeting in June 2010 have been published in the ”Selection” section of the website. Congratulations to all those members who have been promoted and our thanks to those umpires who have retired this season, for your many years of committment. Many thanks to David Rose, Trevor Matthew-Jones, Nick Lockhart, Jane Binner and Rob Lidgett.
As you wil notice from the minutes, Panel B* will be removed from both the Women's and the Men's programme going forward. |
| 15th July 2010 |
| Development Group - Rotterdam 2010 |
| A new member article has been added to your personal page regarding the recent development group to Rotterdam. Simply click on the ”development group” section of your personal page. Our thanks to Will Champness and Rob Argent for their insightful contributions. |
| 14th July 2010 |
| Executive Committee update and minutes (July 2010) |
| This news item is part of a regular update the Executive Committee (EC) will be providing after each meeting, in addition to the minutes. We hope you find them of interest, with the inaugural update from Dave Dowdall and David Thirsk.
At the recent two day meeting of the Executive Committee (EC) the business as usual matters were discussed on the Saturday, with the Sunday focussing on the NPUA’s three year Strategic Plan.
The highlights of Saturday included finalising the programme for Conference 2010, confirmation of the fitness requirements for 2010-2011 and a review of the member’s consultation that was sent out earlier in the year.
A crucial element that was identified from the consultation was the need for a new range of casual clothing. Therefore, after researching many suppliers, the final session on Saturday evening was a presentation by from the supplier TK. The EC were delighted with the proposals and the new casual clothing range was launched.
Sunday started with a discussion around developing a new coaching strategy. A summary of this was provided at the Coaching Conference on 10 July, during the Women’s Champions Trophy and a further update will be provided for all members at Conference 2010.
Following a series of breakout sessions and discussion groups, a number of topics were identified as priorities to ensure the Association is driven forward over the next three years. These priorities included technology, communications, development (including of female umpires) and the way the Association works. Keep an eye out for more information on these at Conference 2010.
As usual you can find all the minutes from the EC meetings in the ”Association Business” section of the website.
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| 10th July 2010 |
| Fitness testing for 2010-11 |
| All members are asked to complete their fitness test at Conference 2010 on Saturday 4 September. For any member not able to attend Conference, they will need to gain prior approval for their watcher from either the Chair of Selectors, Paul Box-Grainger, or Chair of the NPUA, Dave Dowdall (cc the Secretary) before they complete the fitness test, which is the same process as last season.
WHO:
Any umpire wishing to umpire at Premier level, A* or A panel, must pass the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (”Bleep Test”) or the Cooper Test to the required level.
In addition, any umpire wishing to be elligible for promotion will need to complete a fitness test to the required level (this includes candidates wishing to join the National Programme).
All umpires operating in the National Programme below the Premier Panel, A* or A panel, who do not wish to be eligible for promotion, have the option to pass one of the tests to the basic requirement for NPUA but this is not mandatory.
DEADLINE:
All fitness tests must be completed between 1 July and 24 September 2010, otherwise umpires will not be eligible to umpire in the Premier League, remain on their panel or be eligible for promotion and will be returned to the B panel until they have completed the fitness test to the required standard.
MEDICAL REASONS:
Any umpire who may find it difficult to pass a fitness test during this period due to medical reasons should contact their panel leader and the Secretary, so you can work together and receive the support needed to help you pass a fitness test when ready.
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| 5th July 2010 |
| Whistle Talk - 001 July 2010 |
| The latest NPUA newsletter ”Whistle Talk” has been added to the Conference section of the website. Main topics include an outline of the exciting sessions to expect at Conference 2010, details about the up coming fitness test and a summary of developments from Dave Dowdall, NPUA Chair. ... More |
| NPUA Conference 2010 |
| You can now book your place at Conference 2010. Simply log into your Personal Area and register your attendance for Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September, at Loughborough University.
It promises to be an exciting two days, with an international guest speaker, awards dinner, convergence sessions, panel breakout groups and a team building event (aka the fitness test)!
Look out for more information coming soon. |
| 30th June 2010 |
| LAST CHANCE: Order your casual shirts by 30 June in time for the new season |
| To ensure you receive your casual shirt(s) in time for the new season or delivery at Conference 2010, make sure you place your order before Wednesday 30 June. Don't miss out! |
| 25th June 2010 |
| Jack Harris wins Young Performance Umpire of the Year |
| Congratulations to Jack Harris who was named the Young Performance Umpire of the Year at the EHB Awards Dinner on 19 June 2010. Also, congratulations to Kevin Freeman and Vicky Smith who were shorted listed for this award. |
| Hamish Jamson awarded Performance Umpire of the Year |
| Congratulations to Hamish Jamson who was named the Performance Umpire of the Year at the EHB Awards Dinner on 19 June 2010. Hamish was presented with the award by our very own Dave Dowdall, Chair of the NPUA, and Martin Gotheridge, President of the EHF. Congratulations to Andy Mair and Andrew Kennedy who were the also shortlisted for the award. |
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| 24th June 2010 |
| International congratulations |
| Congratulations to Frances Block who has been appointed to the Commonwealth Games and also to Janice Tasho who has been promoted to the International Outdoor Promising List. |
| 21st June 2010 |
| NEW CASUAL SHIRT RANGE LAUNCHED |
| As a result of member feedback through the NPUA Consultation at the beginning of the year, the Executive Committee has been working hard to secure a new range of casual clothing. A number of options were investigated and we are pleased to announce that we will be moving forward with the hockey supplier TK to supply our new range.
We are delighted to launch the first phase with three new causal TK shirts in white (with black panelling), navy (with red panelling) and red (with navy panelling). As requested by members, each shirt will be available in men's and women's sizes and styles, according to chest size.
Details and pictures of the new casual range will be available in the Members' Shop within the next few days. Orders placed through the Members’ Shop, if placed by the end of June, will result in your new shirts being delivered in time for Conference 2010.
Look out for the launch of Phase 2, when more of the casual clothing range will be revealed.
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| 20th June 2010 |
| Volunteer's needed |
| During the past 12 months your Executive Committee have been working hard to drive a number of new initiatives forward, we are now at the point of needing some help to develop further or deliver these initiatives for the benefit of all our membership.
If you have a little free time, a particular interest, are organised and have regular access to the internet and email we would appreciate your support.
There will be several opportunities for more than one member to volunteer and the more people involved the smaller the commitment. If you are interested in supporting your Association with these initiatives and have time to volunteer please contact the Secretary, Hannah Sanders. |
| 1st May 2010 |
| Congratulations - Level 3 Umpires |
| Congratulations to Deborah Cobb who passed her assessment match at the end of the season, to become a Level 3 Umpire and member of the NPUA. We wish her every success in the National Programme.
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| 17th November 2009 |
| Milestone Congratulations |
|  Nick Lockhart became only the third member of NPUA to reach 250 games this weekend. Nick's national league umpiring career has spanned the whole life of the national programme, since its inception back in 1988. Congratulations to Nick, following the match at Loughborough at the weekend. |
| 1st February 2009 |
| Steelcase Solutions Information |
| Following a number of requests from members for more information about our sponsors, we have added a one page flyer to the website that can be printed and given to any interested parties.
Please take a look and use it to promote and support our sponsors. ... More |
| 26th January 2006 |
| Unusual Travel Authorisation |
|  A reminder to anyone appointed by NPUA, in any capacity, that authorisation for overnight accomodation arranged by the traveller or for taking the option of flying to a match or event must be approved prior to the event by the expenses administrator, Richard Wood.
Failing to get his approval prior to travelling or staying overnight may result in the expense claim not being paid.
No-one else can approve such arrangements. |
| 10th February 2005 |
| International Appointments Expenses |
|  In an attempt to standardise payments across all ”volunteers” in hockey, the following has been agreed with England Hockey.
NPUA will reimburse umpires for travel to and from the airport when travelling to appointments made by FIH, EHF or NPUA. This reimbursement will be on the normal mileage basis if travelling by car or the cost of train travel. NPUA will not refund the costs of taxis or airport parking.
In addition, NPUA will cover 50% of the costs of any visas required to fulfil the appointment, the remaining 50% being covered by the umpire.
This applies to England umpires in international appointments, unless appointed by NPUA. Umpires from other countries should seek clarification from their governing body as necessary. |
