Umpiring is broken

Ernst Baart and Jaspreet Singh sit down with the insightful and outspoken Keely Dunn—a former international umpire, founder of FHUmpires.com, and renowned “umpire whisperer” from Canada. In This Podcast: Keely shares her unique journey into field hockey and umpiring—how a tough moment in her teens propelled her into the sport and later to international tournaments around the globe. Have you ever wondered why Keely boldly claims "umpiring is broken"? Find out what drives her mission to shake up hockey’s third team and why she believes drastic change is needed for umpiring to keep up with the modern game. Keely reveals what sets her platform apart from traditional hockey associations and why even countries with strong umpiring systems rely on her expertise. The candid discussion about the realities and future of umpiring: professionalism vs. volunteerism. Keely’s takes on rule changes, including the offside debate, penalty corners, and why she believes aerial rules are about to transform the sport. Insightful perspectives on growing field hockey in Canada, the U.S., and across Asia—including how expat communities and cultural exchange could be the key to building the sport worldwide. Direct and sometimes controversial opinions on gender equality, youth development, and what really needs to happen to bring umpires and fans together. Behind-the-scenes stories, colorful banter, and practical advice for players, fans, coaches, and aspiring umpires. Whether you’re an umpire, coach, player, or simply a passionate fan, you’ll find Keely’s unconventional approach both entertaining and enlightening. 👉 Don’t miss out! Subscribe now to Studio Hockey to get access to the full episode, more expert conversations, and all things field hockey—delivered right to your favorite podcast platform. Happy Hockey–and see you for the full discussion! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit my.studio.hockey/subscribe