Profile: John Wright (South Africa, Umpire)

Name: John Wright
Age: 37
Birthplace: South Africa
Residence: South Africa
Occupation: Sports Organizer at University
First International Game: 3-Nations in South Africa in 1995

When did you start umpiring, and why?
I have always been a person related to sports. I started my umpiring career as a consequence of participating in events where umpires were not abundant. I was always asked if I was interested in umpiring and I accepted. I continued and became an international umpire at a very young age.

Who was the greatest influence on your umpiring career?
I don’t have a specific influence, but my experience has helped me to become what I am today.

What was the highlight of your umpiring career?
The highlights of my career so far have been the Olympic Games in Athens and the 2006 World Cup.

Is there a team that you find especially hard to umpire
Internationally speaking, all teams are difficult to umpire, but with some you have to be very hard and with others quite soft, as they feel they need protection even though our role is not to protect but to make sure that the game is fair for both teams in the pitch.

Who is the player you most admire?
The player I most admire is Teun de Nooijer from The Netherlands

What do you like most about umpiring and what frustrates you the most?
I consider that umpiring is a difficult task to perform as it is something which demands a lot of concentration, and is about managing power and making the right decisions.

If you could change one thing about hockey, what would it be?
If I had to change something about the game it would be the inclusion of higher technology to avoid crucial errors, which are likely to be committed in such a fast game.

What do you do when you are not umpiring?
Outside hockey, I like to play golf and water sports, such as water skiing and wake boarding.

How do you feel about your career?
I feel quite satisfied with my career, as I am only 37 and have a vast experience in umpiring already, and I also have 10 more years to go before retiring!

How do you see the sport nowadays?
I believe that hockey nowadays is a sport which is becoming more and more popular, and the international federation is organizing events worldwide. But I consider that hockey will be pro after my time is ended.

What is one piece of advice you would give to young umpires?
If I were to give some piece of advice to young umpires it would be to be level headed, as I consider this to be the most important condition.