Tim Oakley, who can be found at the hockey turf when not at the port, has been selected to umpire at the World Masters Hockey.

After umpiring in Wellington earlier this year, he applied for the World Cup and was selected for the 45 to 65 year old age groups that will play in Auckland in November.

His twin brother David was also selected as an umpire and will travel to Cape Town for the 35-45 and over 70s age groups.

“It is a buzz to get announced,” he said. “We plan to do umpiring around the world and take our family with us so they can be a part of it.”

Oakley said his favourite part of being an umpire is seeing good hockey. “Fast hockey is good hockey,” he said. “As an umpire, you try to build rapport with players, and they get to know you.”

Oakley has been umpiring hockey for the last 20 years and at a national level for the past five years. He started playing hockey after his children began. He had some experience as a goalkeeper in grass hockey, but he soon found himself just as interested in umpiring.

“As a player, you become a better umpire and vice versa,” he said.

He said, “You get more involved in the club to help, such as on the committee, and you go into different aspects of the sport.”

Oakley has umpired at various tournaments, including the New Zealand Māori Hockey (NZMH), Hockey New Zealand Masters, and the Trans-Tasman Hockey Series.

He is noted for his mellow personality and down-to-earth approach. On Saturdays, he mentors others and helps players improve their game.

He said he looks forward to umpiring at the World Cup and seeing some great hockey in action.