Hockey umpire racks up 19 years and 500 matches not out

National League umpire Rob Jenkins became the first to clock up 500 games at the top level in English hockey last weekend and says friendships and camaraderie have kept him going.

Jenkins began umpiring in 1999 before taking on his first men’s National League game in 2002 and then joining the women’s section a few seasons later.

He told The Hockey Paper of his delight to reach the milestone, saying: “It feels an achievement just in terms of keeping fit and healthy, turning out every week and being available. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed 99.9% of those games so it’s been very good.”