LGSHA’s Jamiee Shannon to officiate in matches across week-long Hockey Australia Country Challenge

Albany’s Jaimee Shannon is feeling the nerves ahead of the Hockey Australia Country Challenge, where she will take on a role with whistle in hand.

Shannon moved to Albany from Queensland last year and has been playing and umpiring in the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association.

An umpire with State level experience, the 21-year-old was recommended by the LGSHA to officiate in the week-long national championships that will be played on Albany’s top level hockey turf.

The championships comprising six women’s and six men’s teams will start on Saturday and the medal games will be played on Saturday, August 13.

Shannon began umpiring at 14 and said she was passionate about the sport.

“Hockey has always been my thing, it has been my social life,” she said.

“I’ve been doing a fair few local games and I have a bit of background in umpiring at State level but this will be my first national tournament.

“I’m pretty nervous, I’m not going to lie, but the skill level of the hockey will be pretty amazing and there is lots of training opportunities and guidance from the other umpires.”

Shannon holds a community level umpiring accreditation with Hockey Australia and said she expected to blow the whistle in four matches across the competition.