Congratulations to Jess Harris, who while umpiring at the England Hockey junior club championships in Nottingham at the weekend, passed her assessement for her Level 2 umpiring qualification.

Jess has played for Brighton & Hove Hockey Club for six years and has umpired for nine years. She has officiated the Sussex Under-18 teams, local universities' games and at national junior tournaments.

Jess, pictured (above left) at Nottingham where she also saw the BHHC Under-16 boys win the Tier 2 Plate final, can now umpire at the level immediately below the national league so will be travelling widely for appointments and take the club's women's 1s, men's 1s (non-national league) and 2s matches.

A recently qualified ER nurse Jess played goalkeeper for the women's 2s this season. She spoke passionately about umpiring at the recent club AGM, appealing for more playing members to become qualified umpires as there has been a shortage this sesason. She proposed each team in the club next season must have four people who have done the unassessed online Level 1 umpiring course and get two people assessed to help overcome the regular difficulty of getting umpires for matches.

This is a great achievement for Jess and a boost for the club and all members pass on their congratulations and best wishes to her.