SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament
Umpire Profile: Tanya Pepler
The infectious smile of Newcastle’s Tanya Pepler beams as she briskly controls a school girls’ hockey game.
Watching her keep firm control of the game, balancing that with her vivacious character is affirming and attractive for the school girls and the enjoyment of the game.
Pepler has been umpiring for close on ten years and was recently nominated as the Most Promising Umpire of the SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament and will be travelling to Durban to officiate the finals.
Chatting after the game, she admitted, “The first time I picked up a whistle, I loved the feeling of being ‘in control’ of the game, but a better knowledge of the rules probably would have been beneficial.” she claims chuckling with a twinkle in her eye.
No stranger to blowing in some big games, she has was in charge of the South African U18 vs Australia U17 game a couple years back and the final of the 2006 U21 IPT final as well as the IPT ‘B’ final. Before the grand finals, Pepler will be taking up the role of Umpire Manager at the U16 National Tournament in Pietermaritzburg from 6 – 12 July.
Pepler has umpired in all of the SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament regionals since its inception. “I have done four regionals and would do another 40 if I could. The format is fabulous!” the dedicated athlete states. “I love the fact that skills are constantly developing in hockey. That anyone can play it no matter what age, and that it’s something that builds confidence both as an individual and as part of a group.”
Quizzed if she could umpire any game in the world which two teams would be playing and at what grounds? Her answer was an animated, “Netherlands and Argentina. And seeing that my region has no astro-turf and this a fantasy, it would be the first game on our brand new astro.”
“We grew up next to the hockey and cricket field.” explaining how her love for the game began. “Both my parents played and my mom still coaches today. We had hockey sticks from a young age, went with on all the tours and generally caused chaos and had lots of fun until we were old enough to be in teams of our own.”
The agile centre back admits, “Picking up a stick after taking a break is just like riding a bicycle – you never lose that feeling.” When she has time, the active lady loves to swim, cycle and play a round of golf. Her hobbies include reading, designing Mimio teaching lessons and building enormous clay castles with her four year old son, Trent.
Asked about a moment that stands out for her on the pitch, “There are too many to mention. But there is nothing like the feeling of signalling and allowing a great advantage goal. That always makes me feel good.”
Talking about why she loves living in Newcastle, she enthuses proudly, “The fact that ‘rush hour traffic’ means an extra five minutes. The fact that we have game farms, hiking trails and so many other scenic things literally on our doorstep – I want to create a love for nature and the outdoors in Trent, and so far it seems to be working!”
On her bucket list, Pepler would love to go white water rafting and explore Africa. “And I really want to travel to Cuba!” she admits with a smile. Concluding she confesses, “I do make a mean steak-and-beer pie! And I have never bribed a police officer, with anything other than a smile or tears!” she wraps up with an enormous smile.
“Even though I want to go and explore South America I've taken the plunge and bought a plane ticket to Malta in October to go to a friend's wedding, so Cuba is definitely on hold.” said a beaming Pepler.
Her parting shot was a quote that she loves, “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. The wise Dr Seuss mentioned that I just love it!”
Images by Sophie Thompson or supplied
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