Our expert trustees

We are all hockey lovers and we’ve joined forces to inspire and challenge the improvement of hockey umpiring, having fun along the way! So here we are, blending our experiences from life, work and hockey to try to make a difference.

David Collier

DAVID COLLIER

David is a life-long passionate supporter of sport and has held numerous executive level roles in hockey and other sports.  He is the former Chair of the Rules Board for the Federation of International Hockey (FIH); in addition to the Chair of Finance and Executive Board Member.

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Most notably, he has been the Tournament Director at the hockey Indoor World Cup, Commonwealth Games 2010, European Championships and Junior World Cup. Previously he was an International Umpire, captain of England Universities, a Vice President of England Hockey, a Board Member of EHF and Independent Non-Executive Director of GB Hockey. David brings years of experience from many other sports, including the England and Wales Cricket Board, and more broadly from the aviation industry.
David Dowdall

DAVID DOWDALL

Dave is a passionate advocate of hockey from many aspects – playing, coaching and umpiring. Following his successful playing career in the English National League, he moved across to umpiring, becoming an International Umpire before retiring. Since then, he has returned to playing and joined the Over-45 Masters.

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Dave brings experience from the education sector, with the BPP Education Group and loves being curious about why and how we can do things better. When not involved with the HUT or hockey you can find Dave with his family, enjoying sports together and going on adventures across the North West.
Sean Edwards

SEAN EDWARDS

Sean is one of England’s youngest ever umpires to become a Premier and International Umpire. His love for hockey has led him to be the NPUA Chairman since 2023. Sean umpires both indoor and outdoor hockey and officiated at the Indoor World Cup 2022 and is a member of the FIH Pro League Panel.

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Sean brings experience from the music and retail industries, offering operational insights into making things happen. A dose of pragmatism is always on offer. When not involved with the HUT or hockey you can find Sean at Ipswich Town, bemoaning the luck of his much-loved team, cheering them on and hoping for glory!
Paul Box-Grainger

PAUL BOX-GRAINGER

Paul (aka Box) has a life-long involvement in hockey. Injury cut short his playing prowess, moving him onto umpiring through the Kent HUA and into the National League. He is best known for his unorthodox approach to umpiring, thinking ‘outside the Box’ and advocating the connection to players and coaches. This has led him to mentor and coach many of England’s most promising umpires.   

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One of the founding members and inaugural Chairman of the NPUA. He went on to contribute as an Chairman of the NPUA Selectors and as the International Coordinator, as an EHF Umpire Manager and then FIH. His passion for umpiring ‘enlightenment’ led him to the EHF Education Committee in 2011, and led the Umpiring Group for eight years, establishing the Umpires for Europe (U4E) Programme alongside refining the Umpire Development Panel (UDP) Programme. Latterly, he has been responsible for the appointments to, and development of, Umpire Managers in European competitions. He joined HUT because he relishes the prospect of embracing new ideas and approaches to umpiring, unshackled by orthodoxy or myths. Bringing his experience from the video production industry, he provides insights into how best to connect to audiences. When not involved with the HUT or hockey you can find Box with a glass of red wine, holding court, possibly about his other great love, cricket – a firm believer that a combination of laughter and determination is the perfect antidote to adversity.
Hannah Harrison

HANNAH HARRISON

Hannah was the first female through England’s young umpire development programme, umpiring in the National League since 2005. She is an outdoor International Hockey Umpire officiating at numerous world-level tournaments since 2009 – FIH Pro League, European Championships, Junior World Cup, the World Cup 2022, Commonwealth Games 2014 and 2022, and the Olympic Games 2024, in Paris.

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Hannah was an executive member of the NPUA, specialising in communications, for nearly a decade and was the first female Deputy Chairperson. Hannah brings nearly 20 year’s experience in FTSE-100 financial services and utility industries, specialising in digital, change and transformation programmes. She is a passionate advocate for women in leadership and nurturing high performing teams in the workplace, using her international sporting background. When not involved with the HUT or hockey you can find Hannah with her family, on a golf course or walking the sand dunes near her home in the North West.
Hamish Jamson

HAMISH JAMSON

A ‘hockey-nut’ since he was 10, he eventually reached the dizzy heights of the local men’s 5th team. Having more talent with a whistle than a stick, he quickly found his calling, progressing through the ranks and into the National League as an umpire. With 165 international umpiring caps, he has officiated at 5 European Nations, 4 World Cups and the London Olympic Games in 2012. He is now a European and International Umpire Manager.

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Hamish brings his experience from years of university research and insights from the safety and aviation industries. When not involved with the HUT or hockey, you can find Hamish with his family in the North East who share his passion for hockey but have more skill!
Simon Mason

SIMON MASON

Simon Mason is an ex-international goalkeeper, having played for England and Great Britain across 12 years and 3 Olympic Games. Since the conclusion of his international playing career he has served as President of England Hockey (2010 – 2013) and as a European Hockey Federation Executive board member (2011 – 2023).

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Simon brings his experience as Managing Director of Mercian Hockey and The Hockey Centre. He has a passionate in all things hockey, as well as currently commentating on world level competitions for BBC, BT Sport/TNT, the FIH and Eurohockey.

there are over 30000 hockey umpires in the UK

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We’re going to do some vodcasts, podcasts and produce some resources which invite people to think differently . We hope you’ll be interested in the topics and enjoy them and, if you do, then we’ll go from there.

 

 

 

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