Craig Johnston
Craig Johnston has a highly decorated hockey career in all fields, starting as a player in 1974 and an umpire in 1977. Craig’s pathway includes representing various states, territories and countries, the Australian Defence Force and ACT Masters where he has captained the ACT O60’s Masters team since 2021.
Craig has been an active member of Hockey ACT and ACT Masters Hockey for almost 20 years. Craig has officiated in the ACT and at national levels as an umpire, technical official, umpire manager, and tournament director. Craig’s contributions have also been as a player, coach, and committee member.
Craig’s contribution in the ACT began as a CL1 umpire in 2001 and playing in the ACT Masters competition in 2004. Craig has held State A Umpire qualifications in five states and the ACT since 1979. In 2005 following his retirement from national umpiring panels and the introduction of NOAS (and then NOAP), Craig transferred to a Level 2 Umpire. He was also upgraded to a Level 2 Technical Official. These appointments contributed greatly to Craig’s career, and he is currently an Umpire Coach in the ACT and has been since 2005. In 2006, Craig was recommended to progress to a Level 2 Umpire Coach/Manager in which he completed in the same year. He was also transferred to a Level 2 Umpire and as of September 2022 Craig has umpired 1500 Senior games.
He has also coached a variety of Senior Mens teams in the ACT along the way. Craig has represented the ACT at 6 Hockey Australia Masters National Championships and has been a coach of his team on three of those occasions. Playing, coaching and officiating for this timeframe is a highly commendable achievement and proves testament to his dedication to hockey and the ACT.
Craig has served two stints on the HACT UTC and the HACT Men’s Senior Appointments Sub-Committee. He served from 2005-2016 and 2018-2020. The year 2024 will be Craigs 6th year as a member of the ACT Masters Hockey Association Committee Member where he is an active member and current Vice President. Craig also represents ACT Masters Hockey nationally as the ACT Delegate to Hockey Australia’s Masters group. He is also Chair of Hockey ACT’s Masters group, which directs both Men’s and Women’s Masters organisations.
Craig’s contributions on these committees are significant and valuable. He has been instrumental in increasing the level of professionalism of Hockey ACT officials and he wrote the first Hockey ACT Umpire Development Plan and the Umpire Handbook.
Craig is the Inaugural President of the Barbarians Hockey Club (ACT) (2019-current). The Barbarians team has played in the Monday night competition since 2005. It started as a mix of available players; it is now very much composed of serving and retired Defence personnel with credit to Craig’s history with the Australian Army and long volunteer career with the Armed Services hockey community. The team now provides members to several club sides in Hockey ACT competitions.
Craig has been a team coordinator in the Monday night competition since 2019 and has filled in often when the usual team coordinator was unavailable. Masters Hockey and Hockey ACT holds team coordinators in high regard.
Craig is still involved in officiating in the local competition. He umpires State League, umpire coaches senior umpires (particularly in the lead up to national championship appointments), performs technical official duties, and mentors technical officials.
Craig is an enthusiastic and hard worker. He is a quiet persuader, a strong advocate, and has a vision of what hockey should be. His vision covers many aspects, from the umpiring and technical world, services hockey, state and national competitions, HockeyOne and, Masters Hockey. His involvement and enthusiasm within the Masters competition around Monday nights, Thursday afternoons, carnivals, charity nights and National Championships does not go unnoticed and is a great attribute to the competitions.
In line with the terms outlined by Hockey ACT for consideration of Life Membership of the Association, it is the opinion of the Hockey ACT Nominations Committee and the Hockey ACT Board that Craig has made an exceptional contribution to the sport and the Association; demonstrated exceptional personal values; has demonstrated ongoing and consistent support of the values of the Association; and made an exceptional contribution as an umpire, player, coach and volunteer.
With high regard, it is recommended that Craig Johnston, for his outstanding contribution to Hockey in the ACT be awarded with Life Membership of Hockey ACT.
Nominating Club: Hockey ACT Umpiring and Technical Committee
Nominated By: Michael Young, Hockey ACT Umpiring and Technical Committee Chair & Hockey ACT Board Member
Seconding Club: ACT Masters Hockey
Seconded By: Leo Clarke, ACT Masters Hockey President