Jim Unkles celebrates promotion to FIH Umpire Advancement Panel

Hockey Victoria proudly extends its congratulations to Jim Unkles on his recent promotion to the prestigious FIH Umpire Advancement Panel. In addition to this remarkable achievement, Jim has been selected to officiate the Men's Junior Asian Cup Final. These momentous milestones are a testament to Jim's unwavering dedication and skill as an official.

Expressing his gratitude, Jim Unkles shared his thoughts on this opportunity, saying, "I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to come over to an Asian Hockey Federation tournament as a neutral umpire and work with different umpires from across the region. It has been a terrific opportunity to be in Oman and enjoy such a beautiful country and wonderfully kind people. The final between India and Pakistan is really special, and provides such an atmosphere that has to be seen to be believed. A truly great sporting rivalry, but also by far the two best teams in the competition."

Jim further emphasised the significance of his promotion to the advancement panel, stating, “It has been a lot of hard work, but is another stepping stone in the process of building towards bigger opportunities and competitions. The recognition is nice, but I focus on what I can control through the journey and continue to work towards the next international opportunity. I want to thank Hockey Australia OAG for the support and trust to get to this panel, the team of umpire coaches I’m lucky to have access to, as well as HV for the support they have provided along the journey so far."

Josh Burt from the HA Officiating Committee also shared his admiration for Jim's perseverance, especially considering the challenges faced in Victoria. He stated, "Despite the difficulties encountered in recent years, Jim has consistently demonstrated a commitment to maintaining peak physical and mental preparedness for every opportunity that comes his way, be it in Australia or in this case Asia." Burt went on to add, “Jim's accomplishments are a source of immense pride for us, which has culminated in his promotion to the Advancement Panel and his appointment to the final in the Men’s Junior Asian Cup."

Once again, HV extends its congratulations to Jim Unkles on these accolades. His unwavering commitment and dedication to the sport of Hockey serve as an inspiration to aspiring umpires and officials.