TWO of Western Australia’s leading hockey officials are set to take on their biggest challenge to date.
In July, Tammy Standley is set to make history when she becomes the first ever Australian to be handed the role of Technical Delegate of the Women’s World Cup – a crucial and eminent position which will see her responsible for overseeing the competition in its entirety.
Held every four years, the Hockey World Cup ranks alongside the Olympic Games as the most coveted and cherished prize in the sport and will be held in London this August.
Reflecting on her appointment, Tammy – whose resume also includes officiating Olympic and Commonwealth Gold Medal matches – said she was honoured to have been given the role, adding: “I’m really surprised and quite humbled by it.
“It’s something I’m really proud of – there’s lots of other people just as capable and I’ve been given this amazing opportunity so now I need to prove that I deserve this opportunity.”
A primary school teacher by trade, Tammy also insists that the experiences she faces in her day job have helped her ensure that things run smoothly on the field.
The 41-year-old from Secret Harbour said: “Being a teacher definitely helps. It’s the same sort of skills that a required. You’re working with people and working towards a common goal.
“The same things that help you as a teacher, things like communication and listening to people in order to make it easier for them to understand, is really integral.
Western Australia’s Shayley McGurk-Davy is also set to continue her already impressive officiating career to date when she takes up her role as a Technical Official at the Commonwealth Games, being held in April.
Incredibly, the 36-year-old, who is originally from Collie, will also become the second member of her family to feature at the prestigious global sporting event after her younger sister Kobie helped the Hockeyroos to win Gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Shayley said: “She’s really excited for me and she’s really supportive of the opportunity.
“In terms of opportunity, this is the highest one I’ve been given and it brings the excitement of a multi-sport, international competition. Hopefully it’s a springboard into other future events.”
With hockey in the blood, Shayley says the lure of being heavily involved with elite-level sport has kept her passion for officiating alive over the years.
She added: “It’s the best seat in the house. But overall, it’s been an ability to stay involved with High Performance hockey. It’s a sport I grew up with and a sport I still enjoy.”