5 minutes with Zeke Newman, Olympic Umpire

Zeke Newman, who’s currently umpiring at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has always had a passion for hockey that goes beyond just playing. Starting as a young umpire at 12, Zeke balanced playing and officiating, eventually making his way up to major events like the Hockey Australia Nationals and the Junior World Cup.

Zeke took some time to chat about his journey, the busy year leading up to the Olympics, and the support from his family that keeps him going. He also shared his game-day rituals and some advice for future hockey enthusiasts.

Traditionally the athletes get most of the attention on and off the field, but their success would not be possible without people like yourself. Tell us how you got into officiating.

I started umpiring at about 12 years old, and it was always something I did at the club, association, and state levels while playing at different levels. I developed a passion for being involved in the game at higher levels through umpiring and was lucky enough to move through Hockey NSW levels to Opens and went to my first Hockey Australia Nationals in 2012.

You started 2024 off with a bang after being an umpire for the Olympic Qualifier matches in Spain. How has the rest of your year been so far, especially leading up to the Olympics? 

It has been very busy lately with the tournaments I have been appointed to. I had the Junior World Cup in Malaysia in December, then the Olympic Qualifier in Spain in January. I followed up with a Pro League Mini tournament in India in February. I was also appointed to the Indoor Asia Cup in Kazakhstan in May. I have also been umpiring in the Sydney Premier League and at Hockey NSW Opens Championships in preparation for Paris.

Speaking of travel, there comes a lot of sacrifice with being an international hockey umpire and being away from home. What keeps you motivated? 

It is a big sacrifice, particularly missing time at home with family. I am very lucky to have such a supportive family. My wife Jess and daughters Emerson and Amelia support all my travel for hockey and do an amazing job of holding down the fort while I am away. The travel leads to great opportunities to see different parts of the world and progress to appointments like the Olympics.

If you were selected as the umpire for the gold medal match at the Olympics, what would game-day preparation look like for you?

I’m sure my preparation would be fairly similar to most other games. I am a creature of habit. I would usually get a run or exercise in the morning of a later match, followed by a decent breakfast, and then, when at the hockey centre, just concentrate on my hydration and work with my colleagues to be best prepared for our match.

If you were to give the next generation of hockey or sport enthusiasts a reason to join their local hockey community, whether it be as an umpire, player or volunteer, what would it be? 

I have been able to be involved in the sport I love at the highest level as an official. It has taken me to places in the world I would have never visited without hockey. It is also such a warm and open community that supports all roles in the sport. I have people who I can call friends across the world, as well as people who I have known for many years in the local hockey community, who are some of my closest friends.

The Olympics are on now! Watch the Hockeyroos, Kookaburras and Zeke in action on 9 Now with select matches on Nine and 9 Gem. Learn more here - https://www.hockey.org.au/olympics