Golden Whistle for Ged Curran

Scotland’s Ged Curran umpired his 100th International
game on Wednesday in London at the Olympic Games.

Umpiring his 100th game at the Olympic Games in London
means he is the second Scottish male, after Craig Madden, to
be honoured by the FIH with a Golden Whistle. Only 30 people across
the world have achieved this honour so far.

Ged said ‘I feel very happy and proud to have received the
Golden Whistle. When I started umpiring I set myself some career
targets and to umpire 100 senior international matches was one of
them.  I felt quite mixed really. There’s the sense of
achievement and satisfaction becoming only the second male Scot to
reach 100 senior international matches and of course the excitement
factor of the match also being the first in the Olympics’

His preparation for the match was no different to any other day
because he tries to enter the game as calm and relaxed as
possible but still highly switched on. He is usually very quiet in
the changing room and likes to warm up on his own to
minimise any distractions.

His international career began in 1995 when he umpired his first
outdoor international match in Genoa.  He said ‘I think when
you begin you think you know how to umpire but you don’t. Umpiring
properly, comes with experience and listening to advice, although
not all advice! Through time you gain the necessary experience and
knowledge to umpire at this level. The pressure in Olympic matches
are like no other, not even the World Cup.  My advice to
younger umpires is learn from others, learn to stay calm, show
respect to the players and you’ll get that back.  If you learn
how to deal with mistakes get them out of your head and move on to
the next decision fully focused.  They will
happen and this is a key to good umpiring.’

Congratulations to Ged from all at Scottish Hockey.

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