Hockey rolls out more career opportunities

Hockey Victoria’s new Regional Coach and Umpire Workforce Reform initiative, backed by our Sustainable Volunteer Workforce Program, has so far created 30 new paid roles for coach and umpire developers across the state from Latrobe to Greater Geelong.

Six of those developers have been employed as Coach and Umpire Zone Developers, the three Zones - Gippsland, Northwest and Southwest.

The developer training was free and included education videos and course links, online hub support with up-to-date material, documents, recorded sessions, and professional mentoring sessions providing advice to coaches and umpires in their regions.

John Larkins, South West Umpire Zone Developer said, ‘I love hockey and being able to channel my passion for the sport back into the local game by helping others excel as coaches and umpires is a joy, and being rewarded for it is a bonus.’

‘The Regional Coach and Umpire Workforce Reform initiative has also helped me learn some valuable skills from leadership to digital know how like using AI - skills I’m now also using beyond the hockey pitch.'

Jason La Rocca, Hockey Victoria Regional Workforce and Development Manager said, ‘Having dedicated trained leaders out there on the ground who can work with their local clubs and associations to address the specific needs of up-and-coming umpires and coaches is a game changer.’

‘For example, recently a young, junior female umpire out Geelong way was struggling with confidence, due to having a few bad experiences on the pitch.’

‘This had in turn meant her level of umpiring had gone down and her enjoyment of the game was reaching a point that she was ready to walk away.’

‘Our local Association Umpire Developer in Geelong at the time, was able to identify the issue, and put time and effort into working with this umpire, both in a group setting and individually to build up her confidence again, and I’m pleased to say she’s back doing what she loves,’ he said.

The Regional Coach and Umpire Workforce Reform initiative is one of 12 new initiatives backed by our new Sustainable Volunteer Workforce Program.

Other funded organisations include Tennis Victoria. They’re using their funding to provide administration support for local clubs – giving volunteers more time to focus on their programs and activities.

The Sustainable Volunteer Workforce Program supports sport and active recreation sector initiatives and partnerships that help attract and retain volunteers and staff, reduce volunteer workload, and ultimately increase participation opportunities for Victorians on and off the field.

It is part of our $60 million Regional Community Sport Development Fund that is delivering infrastructure and programs to support more regional Victorian families and children to become and remain physically active.

Increasing sector capability and supporting the development of a highly skilled sport and active recreation workforce that in turn leads to a strong, sustainable industry is a key objective of Active Victoria 2022-2026 – A strategic framework for sport and active recreation in Victoria.

To find out more about the program and funded projects visit Sustainable Volunteer Workforce Program