Stephen Tabb

Generally sports-mad father of two, now spends time both in-work and outside work developing all grass-roots hockey. World Record Holder
(All views are my own)

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

@stephensroad10 @silshockeyclub Have a load of stick bags you can have as well. What days of the week would work for you best - I can be fairly flexible.

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

Grateful to @NottsSport for their support with the planning for the second pitch at @SilhillianSport. Everyone at @silshockeyclub is excited about enhancing the facilities further.

[Notts Sport @NottsSport]

We are delighted to announce the renewal of our long-standing partnership with England Hockey. As the only official facilities partner of @EnglandHockey and @GBHockey, the renewed agreement will run until January 2029, continuing a collaboration that has supported the development of hockey facilities across England for more than 14 years.

Since the partnership began in 2012, we have worked closely with England Hockey to provide clubs, schools and facility providers with specialist technical advice and independent guidance. Our role supports the planning, design and development of hockey facilities nationwide, helping to ensure players at every level have access to high-quality places to play.

The renewed partnership aligns with the launch of England Hockey’s Pitch Together Fund and reflects a shared ambition to improve facility quality, increase participation and support long-term sustainability across the sport. As part of the continued collaboration, we are also once again sponsoring the Boys’ and Girls’ School Championships, England Hockey’s flagship national school competitions involving hundreds of schools and thousands of young players from across the country each year.

Rich Beer, Chief Executive of England Hockey, said: “Notts Sport renewing their partnership with England Hockey is a testament to the relationship we have with them and we are thrilled to have them back on board. As one of our most long-standing partners they have been a loyal and trusted partner for us for the last 14 years. Now with the new Pitch Together Fund in place we are looking forward to working together to help develop and improve more facilities that provide better places to play.”

Duncan Bennett, CEO of Notts Sport, added: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with England Hockey which began back in 2012.

Over that now 14-year period, the initial concept of offering clubs advice and support on their facilities has grown into a close working relationship at all levels of the sport.

Whilst the support we provide to England Hockey has grown and developed immensely since 2012, the original intention of offering free support and advice to clubs, schools and hockey players of all levels continues to be the core service and focus for us.

At a time where we are all increasingly aware of sustainability, environmental impacts, recycling and the use of plastics, it is clear that the specialist advice, services and support Notts Sport offer means that sustainable design has a key role to play in ensuring hockey is at the forefront of innovation and best practice.”

The renewed partnership will help deliver tangible benefits for the hockey community by improving the quality and sustainability of facilities nationwide. By combining technical expertise, independent guidance and a shared commitment to innovation, we and England Hockey aim to create better places to play, increase participation and ensure the sport continues to thrive at every level.

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

@GoaleeMurph @KingIan should be able to help I would think.

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

@GoaleeMurph @MACDS94 You also aren't afraid of putting your name to your views (and bothering to be educated enough in the first place about what goes on to have sensible opinions......well, apart from the one that says EH are perfect!)

🤣🤣🤣

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

@JagBancil @SikhUnionCovHC @Addershockey @GoaleeMurph Sorry I didn't catch you after the game. Good goal and well done on the promotion! Also, general opinion is I was quite lenient with your card only being green 😜

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

Really enjoyable afternoon umpiring. @SikhUnionCovHC just edging @Addershockey 3-2 in a very skilful game with both teams working with the umpires. Thanks to @GoaleeMurph for the invite & great to enjoy the usual hospitality and good conversations about umpiring #InMemoryOfNemo

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

@ro_jito @GoaleeMurph Two legendary men, who do great things for others. Sadly I am aware of why you are both connected and can say I am blessed to be lucky enough to know two people that are able to now help others with the black dog. I am grateful to know you both and take inspiration from you both

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

@GoaleeMurph @SikhUnionCovHC @Addershockey For the record, I didn't 'fall over'....I got 'attacked' by the SU speaker!

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

Busy day yesterday, with some actual work! Some exciting conversations starting the final stages in a significant project. Then the evening was just as important, lots of volunteers from @silshockeyclub having in depth conversations around ongoing strategy and player development.

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

@theoldbloke Totally agreed, but I have always been someone who worries about things I can personally control, and park the things I cannot influence.

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

Really good to request and receive feedback from @WorcesterHC women about Saturday's game. Very positive comments and the one or two things flagged up will feed nicely into the upcoming @silshockeyclub Umpire Development session on Player/Game management #UnitingTheCommunity

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

@theoldbloke @WorcesterHC @silshockeyclub I specifically sent an email to the Captain as I had not managed to catch her after the game (both of us were busy). To her, and her team's credit, she wrote a very well constructed & considered reply. I think umpires need to ask teams directly and not be afraid of the response.

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

Twitter / X once again proving to be the meeting ground for the unread, ill informed and overly opinionated!

Not long now before I move away from this platform. Too easy for someone to post completely incorrect information and seemingly drum up support for it.

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

@KingIan @NPUAhockey @WestHockeyOfcls Having both umpired him and with him, I can also assure you that Chris D's awareness of umpiring is fully established with a background in the 'dark arts' of playing as well! #poacherturnedgamekeeper

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

Lovely morning to umpire a close game. Enjoyed watching the game & not having to get too involved, but you do sometimes question why some people choose to play when they are so miserable all game! Gorgeous day, two teams wanting to play hockey and yet 2 or 3 players still whinge!

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

Really pleased to have been invited to umpire this game. Hopefully my colleague and I contributed to the flow of the game. Some fantastic finishes and great saves by the home keeper were the difference. Would love more games to be like this!

[Rugby School Hockey @rugbysch_hockey]

Massive thank you to @BedSchoolSport for coming to play us tonight in #FridayNightLights A brilliant end to end game for the crowd to enjoy ending Rugby 5-2 Bedford. Thank you to the huge number of parents, staff & students who came to support.

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

For those of you still on X!

This will be the 7th Hockey for Heroes tour I have been involved in (yes I know I am an old git!) The group continues to evolve and do amazing things for an amazing cause.

The highlight for this tour is it starts a few minutes down the road :)

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

@hockeyforrest @PGSsport @SolihullSport Always keen to publicise the fact that umpiring is enjoyable and not something that should only ever be seen as a chore! The more we tell people how good it is, the more chance there is that others may give it a try :)

[Stephen Tabb @TabbStephen]

Really pleasing feedback from the @PGSsport coach after today's game against @SolihullSport . The Solihull team won the U16 Girls Tier 1 Plate Semi-Final and we didn't need to get too involved - always enjoy a game I can stand and watch :)