Hi everybody, Keely Dunn here, coming to you from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I’m actually out on my balcony. I decided to do something a little different to film this, whatever we want to call it—a pseudo-interview, bio, answering questions from George of Hockey 254. It’s obviously 33, 34 degrees out, a bit of a heat wave.
Catch the video here below as she shares.
Early Beginnings in Field Hockey
Believe it or not, it gets hot in Calgary. It honestly does. I started playing field hockey at 14 years old. I had just started at a new high school in grade 10 and needed something positive to do, something to get me out, moving and meeting some people in my grades. Field hockey seemed like a good fit for me, a good unknown option. I wasn’t very athletic and was very short. All the regular sports weren’t really available to me, so I thought I’d try field hockey. I just barely made the team, and it was a love affair ever since.
Climbing the Ranks
The club system or structure isn’t super strong here, so after starting high school in grade 10, that summer, I decided, why not try out for the provincial team? I wasn’t very good, but it didn’t stop me. I made the under-14 Alberta team and went on to play for the province for over 16 years. Despite being cut from a couple of teams, I managed to play at National Championships and also played for the University of Calgary Dinos for five years, combining it with my university and law school years.
Taking On Umpiring
Club hockey was my start for umpiring as well. One of the older players on the team handed me her whistle and said, “You’re going to do this,” and I wasn’t about to argue. I umpired and quickly got my provincial rating, umpiring very regularly during university. It was a good way to make money, and I would umpire matches before and after playing my own games.
Transition to International Umpiring
I didn’t take umpiring seriously until one fateful day when I scored my first goal for Alberta. Ian Gibson, one of the top umpiring managers in Canada, recruited me off the way that I played. He saw potential in me, and the idea of going international was a carrot dangled in front of me that I couldn’t resist. After umpiring national senior nationals the next year, I received my international badge.
Highlights and Challenges
My umpiring journey has seen many ups and downs. Some highlights included participating in the Junior World Cups in 2005 and 2009, my first international off-continent neutral appointment in Dublin, and umpiring Olympic qualifiers in Kazan, Russia. Each of these experiences taught me valuable lessons and gave me cherished memories. Of course, there were lows too. Not getting appointed to tournaments I felt ready for, and particularly challenging moments like in 2006 at the Central American Caribbean Games in the Dominican Republic. These difficulties pushed me to seek better opportunities, leading to my decision to umpire in England for six years.
The Drive and Passion
Umpiring for me has never been just about fun. It’s about the incredible challenge and satisfaction of knowing that I am continuously improving and pushing my limits as a human being. This continuous journey of challenge and improvement is something I believe is crucial for personal growth.
Conclusion
Being an international umpire has been one of the most significant experiences of my life. The privilege of representing my country and serving the game at the highest level is beyond words. It has taught me to embrace challenges, perform under pressure, appreciate my support networks, and always find strength within myself. To anyone considering umpiring, don’t hesitate. You have a unique perspective and experiences that the world needs. Embrace the challenges, find your support networks, and know that your biggest source of strength is always going to be yourself. Being an umpire in this beautiful game is challenging but incredibly rewarding. In the end, you can do it. And trust me, it’s worth every moment.
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