The 2025 Umpire Award winners have been chosen with Ellie Andrew, Aaron Saunders and Ian Crossan all being recognised for their efforts and achievements over the past 12 months.
The awards come just a week after Simon Bell, Matthew Bruce and Ricky Lee were all recognised for their continuous efforts in coaching within the province.
Young Umpire of the Year: Ellie Andrew
A qualified panel umpire and member of the Young Umpire Academy, Ellie has been umpiring for her club for the past two seasons and recently progressed to umpire panel matches. Meanwhile, as well as club hockey, she has continued to help out at the school level
The 18-year-old has also travelled to Dublin to take part in Hockey Ireland workshops and attend matches to observe more senior umpires to improve her skills.
Ellie was presented with her award by Ulster Hockey Development Officer Jonathan McMeekin.
Club Umpire of the Year: Ian Crossan
A stalwart of Instonians Ladies Hockey Club, Ian Crossan has been an enthusiastic umpire throughout the season, regularly umpiring up to three games a weekend and travelling across the province to do so.
He is recognised as a vital cog in the recent growth of the ladies’ club and has been praised/recognised for his attitude on the pitch, starting each quarter with his trademark ‘enjoy ladies’.
Club Umpire of the Year, Ian has been highlighted as somone who has been willing always willing to go anywhere, to do anything, for anyone and always umpiring with a smile on his face.
Ian was presented with his award by Ulster Hockey President Mervyn Logan at Shaw’s Bridge.
Umpire of the Year: Aaron Saunders
A well-known umpire who has been a regular umpire at both Premiership and EYHL levels for a number of seasons, Aaron Saunders, was put forward for Umpire of the Year as recognition from his peers.
Aaron has also begun to gain recognition on the European stage, travelling to Rakovnik, Czech Republic, for the ladies’ EuroHockey Club Trophy I in April, where he gained valuable experience on the continental stage.
Aaron was presented with his award by Ulster Hockey President Mervyn Logan at Shaw’s Bridge.
