Jo's plan coming together

Poverty Bay umpire Jo Cumming will be blowing the whistle in women’s hockey games while former Gisborne lawn bowler Shannon McIlroy will compete in his third Commonwealth Games. Picture by Liam Clayton

“I love it when a plan comes together” is a quote made famous by actor George Peppard (Colonel John “Hannibal’ Smith) in the 1980s television series The A-Team.

It’s also a line Gisborne umpire Jo Cumming could use after being appointed among the umpires to officiate at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast next year.

“Three years ago I sat down with the Hockey New Zealand umpire development officer and we talked about a plan to get to the Commonwealth Games.

“When I looked at the programme the other day there were the words ‘aim to get to 2018 Commonwealth Games’.”

Cumming, who plays club hockey for Paikea alongside fellow international umpire Amber Church, first learned a year ago that she was being considered.

“I was asked if I would be available but not to make it public.

“Now that it’s official, it still hasn’t quite sunk in . . . it probably won’t until I get there and I’m walking out to umpire a game.”

One of 12 New Zealand women umpires heading across the Tasman in April, Cumming will not be officiating any games that involve the Black Sticks.

It means if the New Zealanders make the final, Cumming will have to be content with being a spectator.

“I’d happily give that up to see the Black Sticks in the final. First and foremost, I’m a New Zealand supporter.

“I am looking forward to the other aspects of the Games — the environment and the chance to see other sports and sportspeople I have only seen on television.

Performing well“Obviously the focus is on hockey and performing well, but it will be good to be involved in the opening and closing events.

“Amber (who officiated at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games) said to make sure I soaked up all the atmosphere without losing sight of why I am there.”

Cumming’s appointment is the first step towards her ultimate goal of officiating at the Olympics or the world cup.

“They’re both right up there but if I could only choose one, it would be the Olympics.

“I never dreamed about umpiring at the Olympics but now that I’ve taken the first step, it would be great to go all the way.”

Cumming umpired at round 2 of the World Hockey League in Malaysia and the Four Nations tournament in Melbourne, but the Games will be her first time using video umpire technology.

“I think it will be quite interesting. Each team are allowed one referral but only on specific things such as a goal, penalty corner or penalty stroke.

“If they are correct, then they get another referral but if they’re wrong, that’s it for that game.”

Cumming runs with Church most mornings but said she would be stepping up her fitness regime closer to the Games.

“We have to supply results of fitness tests, such as beep or yo-yo (endurance) tests, which get signed off by Hockey New Zealand and FIH (the international hockey federation).

“At present, it’s all about fitness maintenance but closer to the Games I’ll be working on getting faster.

“Having umpired in Malaysia and Melbourne has given me an insight to the pace of games.”