Congratulations Lani on your appointment to the women’s Junior World Cup in Chile, and for being our next feature Umpire Profile! (involuntarily)

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In the world of international hockey umpiring, Lani is having an incredible year in 2023. In January she was assessed and graded on the New Zealand vs Spain Series in Tauranga seeing her upgraded to the International Advancement Panel, putting her in the top handful of female umpires in Australasia. In June, she travelled to the Gold Coast to umpire at the Hockey 5’s World Cup Qualifying tournament, and was this month appointed to the women’s Junior World Cup I Chile.

You will find Lani umpiring Reserve Men’s hockey every Sunday in a community she has gained much respect and admiration within. She sits on the Waikato Hockey Umpire Academy Leadership group, regularly coaching junior umpires within our Secondary competition, and leads by example in our Premier competition as well; umpiring both men’s and women’s matches. She says “it doesn’t bother me which grade or gender I umpire, for me it’s about doing my best for the players in the game in front of me”.

Thank you for everything you do in our community Lani, you’re an amazing role model for aspiring young women in our sport whether they be players or umpires, and we value your ongoing leadership.