Martin Madden wins sportscotland Technical Official of the Year

Martin Madden’s sportscotland nomination video

 

Scottish Hockey umpire Martin Madden has won the sportscotland Technical Official of the Year award at the sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards. It was the second Official of the Year award that Martin has won in a week, having been awarded the Sports Council for Glasgow Official of the Year award, and is well-deserved recognition for a great year of umpiring.

This year Martin became the 39th man to receive an FIH Golden Whistle for umpiring 100 senior international matches. The Rio Olympic Games match between Netherlands and India was his 100th match umpiring senior internationals.

Madden is rated as one of the top umpires in the world and he, along with fellow Scottish umpire Sarah Wilson, were very successful over in Rio at the Olympic games with both umpiring bronze medal matches at their first ever games. Martin’s father Craig was the first Scot to receive the FIH Golden Whistle, back in 1996. Madden himself is just the third Scot to achieve the milestone: fellow umpire Ged Curran joins the two Maddens on the roll call of honour.

The sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Award is a tremendous accolade for Martin as the awards exist to recognise fantastic people in sport working day in and day out to give the best experiences to athletes and participants at every level.

Martin is fully committed to his umpiring spending many hours both in physical and mental preparation no matter the level of the game. He has officiated all over the world as well as in local leagues for his club Clydesdale Hockey Club. He is a testament to his dedication to get to the pinnacle of his sport.

Martin Madden Glasgow Award

Martin Madden collecting his Sports Council for Glasgow Official of the Year Award

 

Reflecting on his success, Martin said: “I first got into hockey through my dad, he played the sport and was the club captain at the team I work with now. He also was the first Scot to become an Olympic umpire, I am very proud of his achievement and this influenced me to follow a similar route.

“I always knew that I wanted to do something in hockey and, despite giving it my best shot as a player, my dad suggested to try umpiring for the sport. My first experience in this role was when I was 15 years old and from then, I have been umpiring ever since.

“People aren’t in it for the recognition, they are in it for the love of the sport and the enjoyment of it – and I can truly say that it has been the best experience. I’m very grateful for this sportscotland award and would like to thank the team who nominated me.”

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