USA Field Hockey Announces National Umpire Forum
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – CHARLOTTE, N.C. – USA Field Hockey’s Officiating department is excited to announce the National Umpire Forum—a focused, two-day development experience designed to support, challenge, and connect umpires from across the country.
Built by umpires, for umpires, with umpires, the Forum centers on the realities of umpiring at the higher domestic and international levels and on preparing officials to confidently take the next step in their journey.
The Forum is set to take place Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C.
Leadership
Sean Rapaport, USA Field Hockey’s Director of Officials, and Brian Tyson, USA Field Hockey’s Officials Manager, will host the Forum. Rapaport, an FIH Olympic and World Cup Umpire, has notched more than 125 senior international matches on the field and 50 in the video box. Tyson, who is making his way up in the world of international umpiring, was awarded his FIH international badge in 2025 and most recently officiated at the FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup in December 2025.
The facilitators feature FIH Olympic and World Cup umpires Maggie Giddens, Ayanna McClean, and Gabi Labate; FIH umpire Ben Peters; and FIH umpire managers Gus Soteriades, Suzi Sutton, and Saleem Aaron.
Format
The National Umpire Forum will be a highly interactive and practical program featuring:
- Q&A sessions with top-level umpires and umpire managers
- Small-group discussions and scenario-based learning
- Video clip analysis and video umpire practice
- Clear takeaways and action points for immediate application
Key topics include Rule Updates and Interpretations, Match Management, Video Review, Development and Progression Pathways, and more.
Participants are expected to leave more aligned in interpretation, more confident in decision-making, more connected as a national umpiring group, and with clarity on expectations and next steps in their development.
Who Should Attend
This Forum is directed at umpires currently performing on the USA Field Hockey Regional, National, and International Panels; or aspiring to progress to National and International Panels. Preference will be given to officials already on and demonstrating commitment, performance, and potential within these pathways. Starter and Local Panel umpires (along with those without a current USA Field Hockey rating) are welcome to apply, but are not guaranteed attendance, which will be determined based on available capacity.
Cost
An Early Bird registration rate of $250 is available through April 10. Beginning April 11, the standard registration fee will be $325.
Registration
Registration is open to USA Field Hockey Umpire Members only. Regional, National, and International Panel umpires will receive priority registration. Applicants will be notified of their registration status by email. Additional event details, including schedule, booking information, and payment instruction, will be shared with confirmed participants.
Registration is required and numbers will be limited.
To learn more about the 2026 National Umpire Forum, visit the event page.
