Martin Madden retires from umpiring

One of Scotland’s most successful umpires, Martin Madden, has retired from umpiring. Martin has reached the age limit for international umpiring and feels it is the right time to step back, and focus on supporting umpires and officials in a coaching and assessing capacity.

Hockey has always been part of Martin’s life, and so has umpiring. He grew up playing hockey and cricket at Clydesdale. His father, Craig Madden, is also a double Olympic umpire. Accepting that he wouldn’t make the top levels as a player, Martin was sold on stories about umpiring big international games and opportunities to travel the world, and decided to give umpiring a shot.

Martin was just 15 years old when his umpiring journey began. He said, “I enjoyed it, and had a knack for it. I guess I was always no nonsense and had a way with people. Umpiring was always exciting for me. I loved hearing all the entertaining stories from all the umpires at the club, and just wanted to experience it for myself.

“Even at 15 I probably had quite a calm exterior. I also had the benefit of being Craig’s son, and the certain traits I shared with him. My own style developed over a number of years; I just took bits from other people’s styles, my dad, and added my own personality to it. Even when I was young I don’t ever remember having any issues with players. I was always ready to admit when I was wrong, and I think when you have humility there’s really nothing anyone can say against that.”

Although he doesn’t remember his first game as an umpire, he remembers often needing a lift to games, and even opposition teams turning up to drive him to matches. It was a welcomed support that got him progressing as an umpire.

Martin felt the same nerves throughout his career as he did back then. He says it didn’t matter what age he was, or if he was umpiring an Olympic final, or a National League match, the nerves were always the same, and that shows you care.

The rise to the very top of international umpiring wasn’t overnight, however. Martin recalled his journey, “When I got to 18 I wanted to play again. Umpiring can be a lonely existence when you’re younger so I wasn’t fully committed yet. I was good but I went through a period when I wasn’t really giving it my all, and fitness was an issue for me. Again, I got good advice from my dad, given how far I’d progressed, and how far I could go.

“I was in my late twenties when I decided to really commit. I remember thinking I wasn’t in great shape and telling myself I just needed to sort this out. I was hoping to get into the police at the time as well, so I decided to make an effort.

“One year later I was in the police, my fitness was better, and shortly after I umpired a World Cup qualifier. I remember thinking I was holding my own at a level I never thought I’d get to, and imagining I could do really well.”

By this point, the big stages weren’t far away and Martin regularly umpired at international events, and their medal matches. Before long he became one of the most respected and admired umpires in the world.

He’s very humble at the plaudits and recognition he receives. Martin said, “I don’t know why people think I’m good. If I had to say my biggest strength it would be my management of games. It’s mostly natural, a little bit learned, and with humility. I’m just honest with myself and with the players.

“I was lucky to have great input from my dad, Ged Curran, John Heron, and so many others. It’s amazing when I think of the people who gave up their time to help. I’d always say you should listen to people’s feedback, but you don’t always need to agree with it. I didn’t always agree, but I always listened, thanked them and tried to take something.”

Martin thinks back to 2014 as one of his high points in his career. He umpired the bronze medal match at the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games final at Glasgow 2014 in the same year – a spectacular achievement. It was in 2014 where Martin began to feel he belonged at this level.

He said, “The big multi-sport tournaments are a great experience. At the Commonwealth Games and Olympics you’re away from everyone else and you get to mix with officials from other sports. It’s amazing to hear the stories from officials in sports like netball and boxing, and hearing how they all got to where they are. We used to chat over breakfast and hearing stories from officiating other sports was such a privilege.”

Another moment of huge pride for Martin, and for the Scottish Hockey community, was when Martin and Sarah Wilson umpired the EHL Final together in 2022. Both have been on the forefront of cementing Scotland as producers of some of the best officials in international hockey, and umpiring the EHL Final together was a symbol of Scotland’s success on the international officiating landscape.

Martin Madden and Sarah Wilson

Martin has umpired at three Olympics – Rio; Tokyo; and Paris. At Paris he was selected to umpire the final, which is a huge accolade for the Glaswegian. It was extra special as it was his last match as an umpire.

On his Olympic journey, Martin said, “Tokyo was a disappointment because I got injured, and it was so frustrating as I’d been doing well. At Paris I felt like I had something to prove. I did well at Rio; it was my first Olympics and got the bronze medal match, you spend all your life just wanting to get there so it was an amazing experience. Rio is up there as one of my favourites.

“At Paris, it was amazing getting the Olympic final. Knowing it was my last tournament, I didn’t just want to be there to make up the numbers, it was unfinished business after being injured at Tokyo. It’s my greatest achievement because of the journey, and the mental strength to get there.

“I knew it was the end so I soaked up Paris a bit more. I savoured my time with people, many of whom were close friends, and I remember thinking if I would ever see them again. I was emotional throughout the tournament, but I managed to put it aside and get on with the job. It was a great way to end my career as an umpire.”

Martin Madden, umpire Photo: Mark Pugh

One of the things Martin is best known for in his career is his on-pitch humour. He would relieve tension through humour and is well known for his risky, cheeky, one-liners. Players have always appreciated the banter, but Martin says if you give it, you have to be prepared to take it too. He recalled:

“I was doing the EHL Final between Rot-Weiss Koln and Oranje Zwart. The game was kicking off and I called the two captains together to tell them it was a disgrace and to sort it out. The German captain, Mats Grambusch, gave me a funny look so I enquired whether I’d made myself clear enough, then Rob Van der Horst, the other captain, informed me that it would help if I spoke in English! I know Scots speak fast but this gave us all a chuckle and took the sting out a bit.”

Now that he’s retired Martin wants to give back to umpiring in Scotland and will now contribute by umpire coaching and assessing. He explained, “I feel I can give more this way. Again, it’s following in my father’s footsteps. I was given a lot as I was developing and progressing, and I think it’s only right that I give back. I might be rubbish at it but I’ll give it a go. I would love to see someone do better than me, and if I can help it would be amazing.”

Martin’s advice to umpires reading this is, “Be yourself. Let your personality come out. Listen to advice, but don’t always take it as it might not be right for you. For example there are things that I do on a pitch that might not work for you, so you need to develop your own style. There are many ways of belonging on a pitch.”

A tremendous career like Martin’s always has huge support, and there are many people he would like to thank for their help along the way. He said, “Thanks to my mum and dad. My dad gave me so much encouragement and guidance, and my mum supported me and my dad to make all that encouragement happen. Thanks to my wife Sharon, and our kids Ava and Elys, who have been so fantastic, and supportive, all the times I’ve been away, or at the gym. They’ve been incredible.

“Loads of people at Scottish Hockey have helped me, there’s really too many to mention. A special thank you though to Ged Curran, John Heron and Scott Baird.

“Thanks to Sarah Wilson for all the games we’ve done, and all the trips. Umpiring the final with Sarah is my proudest achievement, and her friendship and support has been invaluable.

“I also need to thank Graham Dunlop and Ali Bleach, who have been a great friends and supporters through all the years I’ve been doing this. Just a massive thank you to everyone who has supported me, you’ve all helped shape me to get to where I did.”

A huge congratulations to Martin from everyone at Scottish Hockey on a tremendous career.

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