Three USA Umpires Headed to 2025 WMH European Championships

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Field Hockey is excited to announce that three USA representatives have been appointed as umpires for two legs of this year’s World Masters Hockey (WMH) European Championships.

The 2025 WMH European Championship is broken up into four dates across three locations. This week, USA’s John Pierce will be headed to the WMH European Championship T2 in Valencia, Spain, taking place May 23 to June 1. This iteration will feature O-45, O-50, and Spirit of Masters (SoM) for both Men and Women. Later this summer, umpires Chris Niblock and Mary Lib DeLong will attend the WMH European Championship T3 in Nottingham, England from August 8 to 17. The age divisions for this event are Men’s O-55, O-60 & SoM and Women’s O-55 to O-70 & SoM.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Pierce began playing club field hockey at age 14, competing for some notable clubs over the following 20 years. In parallel to playing, he picked up the whistle to help out at the club level, moving on to umpire as a neutral representative at higher levels in North Premier Men’s leagues and most prominently in the East Premier Men’s divisions. In 2013, Pierce moved to the United States with his wife, Kate, and established himself as an experienced regular on the NCAA college circuit, North East Field Hockey Association (NEFHA), USFHL, and USA Field Hockey events.

Pierce recently officiated at the 2024 WMH World Cup Cape Town last October.

“Thrilled to be attending my second Masters tournament representing the U.S.,” added Pierce. “I cannot wait to enjoy València and get on the pitch. I greatly encourage my colleagues from the U.S. circuit to get involved at Masters level, it's a superb opportunity to mix travel with hockey.”

Delong has been playing, coaching, or umpiring field hockey for the past 45 years. Specifically, she has been blowing the whistle for nearly 20 years, and has done so at almost every level of the game. It has afforded her many opportunities, including the chance to travel and make lifelong friends.

“I am very excited and honored to be representing our country as an umpire in the WMH in Nottingham,” said Delong. “Although this is my first [WMH] tournament abroad, I have umpired in other countries before. I look forward to meeting new people and then continuing to grow as an umpire.”

Niblock began umpiring in 2018, starting with USA Field Hockey events such as Sunshine Showcase, National Club Championship, Nexus Championship and National Hockey Festival. He increased his umpiring repertoire to include college games in 2019, then officiated at the international level for the first time at the 2023 WMH Asia Cup in Hong Kong. In addition to field hockey, Niblock officiates men’s and women’s lacrosse at the NCAA Division I level.

Niblock attended the 2024 WMH World Cup Auckland in November of last year, and the WMH Asian Championship in Hong Kong, China in 2023.

“It is very exciting and always an honor to represent the U.S. hockey community, this time at the WMH European Championships in Nottingham,” said Niblock. “With each appointment, many pieces of information are learned, and friendships are deepened. Working with the great team of umpire managers and technical officials along with umpires from around the world at events like this are invaluable to my growth as an umpire. Ever thankful to USA Field Hockey for these opportunities.”