Five USA Umpires Set to Officiate at 2024 WMH World Cup in Cape Town & Auckland

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Field Hockey is excited to announce that five USA representatives have been selected as umpires for the upcoming 2024 World Masters Hockey (WMH) World Cups.

The 2024 WMH World Cup will be hosted in two locations. Cape Town, South Africa will host the O-35 to O-40 men and women and the O-65 to O-75 men from October 12 to 21. The O-45 to O-70 women and O-45 to O-60 men will be in Auckland, New Zealand from November 7 to 16.

Andrew Estrada, Frank Maisano, and John Pierce will be at the WMH World Cup Cape Town, while Paula Childs and Chris Niblock will attend the WMH World Cup Auckland.

After playing and coaching for nearly a decade, Estrada began umpiring in 2006. His resume includes high school county and state championships, as well as numerous NCAA Conference Tournaments and Championships for all divisions.

At the adult level, Estrada has umpired at the United States Field Hockey League (USFHL) National Club Championship, men's and women's Indoor Big Apple Tournament, and several test matches between the U.S. Men’s National Indoor Team and Ireland.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity USA Field Hockey has given me to pursue my goals internationally at the Masters Tournament,” said Estrada. “I am beyond exciated to represent my country, and I am so thankful to those who have supported me over the years.”

Maisano picked up field hockey officiating in 2014 because his daughter Hannah wanted to start umpiring. Since then, he has umpired in the NCAA since 2017 and in every NCAA Tournament since 2018. He has officiated numerous USA Field Hockey events such as the National Club Championship and National Indoor Tournaments. He umpired at the 2023 WMH Pan American Continental Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he was appointed to the O-50 Men’s gold medal game.

In addition to field hockey, Maisano is a former NCAA basketball and football official, and a current women's lacrosse and ice hockey referee.

“This is going to be a valuable umpiring experience,” commented Maisano. “The international game is fast and exciting, so I am looking forward to seeing the fast pace and high skill.”

Originally from the United Kingdom, Pierce began playing club field hockey at age 14, competing for some notable clubs over the following 20 years. In parallel to playing, he picked up the whistle to help out at the club level, moving on to umpire as a neutral representative at higher levels in North Premier Men’s leagues and most prominently in the East Premier Men’s divisions. In 2013, Pierce moved to the United States with his wife, Kate, and established himself as an experienced regular on the NCAA college circuit, North East Field Hockey Association (NEFHA), USFHL, and USA Field Hockey events.

“I'm excited to represent the USA and look forward to expanding my hockey family which has given me lifetime of friends and experiences,” said Pierce.

Childs’ first experience umpiring at an international event was at the 2018 WMH World Cup in Terrassa, Spain. At that tournament, she was appointed to the O-50 Women’s final – an experience she will never forget. In 2022, Childs umpired at both locations for the 2022 WMH World Cup, in her home country of South Africa and in Tokyo.

“The camaraderie of all participants – players, coaches, umpires, umpire managers – is what brings me back to Masters hockey each World Cup!” said Childs. “I look forward to being in Auckland where I can once again embrace the Masters vibe!”

Niblock began umpiring in 2018, starting with USA Field Hockey events such as Sunshine Showcase, National Club Championship, Nexus Championship and National Hockey Festival. He increased his umpiring repertoire to include college games in 2019, then officiated at the international level for the first time at the 2023 WMH Asia Cup in Hong Kong. In addition to field hockey, Niblock officiates men’s and women’s lacrosse at the NCAA Division I level.

“It is very exciting and an honor to represent the U.S. hockey community at the WMH World Cup in Auckland,” added Niblock. “There is no substitute for working with the great team of umpire managers and technical officials along with umpires from around the world at events like this. Very thankful to USA Field Hockey and those who have assisted me in this journey and kept my feet to the fire and firmly planted.”