Many of us dream of travelling the world doing the things we love, but for teenage schoolboy Thomas Pilgrim that has already become a reality.
In February 2020 Thomas Pilgrim made history when, aged 11, he became the youngest person in the country to qualify as a Level 1 indoor hockey umpire – three years before he was even supposed to be allowed to take the test.
One month later Covid lockdowns began, but that didn’t dampen the youngster’s dedication.
And now the 17-year-old is travelling the country and abroad to take charge of contests – while balancing his pastime with his A Level studies.
“Some weekends I’m away at tournaments, and midweek matches can cut into revision time,” said the Spalding Grammar School sixth form student.
“But I’ve learned how to plan ahead, manage my schedule, and stay disciplined.
“By staying on top of schoolwork during the week, I ensure I can give my full attention when I step onto the pitch.
Thomas began umpiring as a way to stay involved in hockey from a different perspective, but he soon fell in love with being the man in the middle.
“I never expected how quickly I’d grow to love it,” he explained.
“There’s something uniquely rewarding about managing a match, making fast decisions under pressure, and staying composed in high-stakes moments – it immediately clicked with me.
“Since then, I’ve progressed through the England Hockey umpiring pathway, gaining experience, qualifications, and confidence along the way.
“Today, I’m proud to have reached the level where I can officiate national league matches — some of the highest levels available to someone my age.”
Thomas has umpired at multiple junior national and international tournaments was this year shortlisted for England Hockey’s Umpire of the Year award.
“One of the most exciting parts of this journey has been the opportunities to travel,” added Thomas, who has now attained his Level 2 for outdoor and indoor qualification.
“I have recently umpired in Holland for an international tournament – just one of several incredible experiences this role has made possible.
“I’ve met inspiring people, grown my communication skills, and built friendships across the sport.”
A Spalding Grammar statement praised the chemistry, physics, maths and further maths student: “We are incredibly proud of Thomas.
“Thomas has continued to achieve remarkable milestones and earn widespread recognition – culminating in his recent shortlisting for England Hockey’s Umpire of the Year award.
“Thomas is a highly intelligent, driven, and accomplished young man with a bright future ahead. We are excited to see where his journey takes him next.”
