Doncaster youngster Thomas Brown has been appointed to the National Young Umpire Promising List for 2008/2009 after some impressive performances at the National Youth Festival last month. The NYUPL is made up of the top 20 under 21 umpires in the country and at 14 Thomas is one of the youngest on the list and the only one from Yorkshire. In the coming 12 months he will receive individual coaching and can be appointed to umpire at National under 18 events.

This comes as a reward for some excellant performances in his first season of umpiring which has seen him officiate at a series of represenatative matches including North girls under 15 and under 17 sides, North West boys under 17s, the North of England under 16 county chamionship and at the Eurohockey Legacy tournaments in Manchester.

As well as umpiring, Thomas captains Hall Cross School under 15 side and is an active player at Doncaster Hockey Club and has represented Yorkshire at under 15 level and South Yorkshire under 16s this season.

Click here for the full National Young Umpire Promising List from England Hockey.