Dublin, Friday, October 18: Ulster and Ireland umpire Oli Brown has been announced as one of eight umpires selected to join Group 17 of the EuroHockey Umpire Development Program.
The UDP programme is aimed at highly talented young umpires who show potential to become international top-level umpires. The program runs over a two-year period with two seminars each year with the content tailored to the individual and group needs. On top of this, each participant will also be guaranteed to be appointed to a EuroHockey tournament each year.
Oli becomes the latest Irish umpire to join the UDP, following in the footsteps of some of Ireland’s top umpires such as Ali Keogh, Shane O’Donnell, Geoff Conn, Ellie Duffy, and Sarah Craig who joined the UDP as part of Group 16.
Following the selection, Oli Brown stated:
“I was very surprised to see the email of my selection to UDP. It wasn’t something I expected at all, but I am extremely grateful for the opportunity, and I am looking forward to the next two years of learning and development alongside a great group of umpires. Sarah Craig’s selection last year and my selection this year shows the strong position that umpiring in Ireland is in and that’s thanks to the fantastic work that the IHUA has put in place for their umpires. I am extremely grateful to everyone that has played a part to get me to this stage.”
Oli began his hockey career in school in Campbell College, Belfast where coaches Peter Caruth and Ronnie Smyth encouraged him to join nearby club Annadale. Brown’s self-proclaimed addiction to hockey began there, as he developed to eventually play for the Annadale Men’s 1st XI until 2019.
While still at school, Brown’s passion often came to the fore, meaning he ended up on first name terms with umpire Kim Collins. Kim encouraged Brown to try his hand at umpiring, advice he took joining the Ulster Umpiring Panel in September of 2021. With the guidance of Kim Collins, Eamonn McFerran, Robert Johnson and many others, Oli continued to develop, joining the Irish Hockey Umpires Association as part of the national Umpire Academy.
Oli umpired his first Senior International match in 2023, officiating Ireland Men’s series versus Wales in Lisnagarvey alongside experienced umpire Bruce Bale. He progressed on to the Umpires for Europe programme where he officiated two European tournaments, an experience that furthered his reputation as one of Europe’s future elite umpires.
Today, Oli is a regular umpire in Ireland’s top competitions, umpiring weekly in the EY Hockey League and is set to embark on the next chapter of his umpiring journey as part of EuroHockey Umpire Development Programme.